Mark 14:1-26 The Beginning Of The Walk To The Cross

"Just as He had steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, so He steadfastly set His heart to do the Father's will."

"The woman doing this anointing was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus ... The woman mentioned in Luke was a converted harlot ... It was an expensive offering that she gave to the Lord ... One jar would have cost the equivalent of a common worker's annual income ... The disciples criticized Mary for wasting her money ... Jesus commended Mary and accepted her gracious gift.  He knew the heart of Judas and understood why the other disciples followed his bad example ... No matter what others say about our worship or service, the most important thing is that we please the Lord.  The fact that others misunderstand and criticize us should not keep us from showing our love to Christ.  Our concern should be His approval also."

My commentary shared common arguments that people make about Judas.  But He wasn't a martyr or a robot.  He made his own decisions.  He wasn't a victim or a hero.  He was lost.

It was after Judas departed that Jesus instituted His new Lord's supper sacrament.  "On the cross, Jesus fulfilled the old covenant and established a new covenant ... ratified by the blood of God's Son ... The new covenant in His blood would do what the old covenant sacrifices could not do -- take away sin and cleanse the heart and conscience of the believer."

"Because Jesus is alive as we celebrate the Lord's Supper, by faith we have communion with him ... It is a spiritual experience that comes through our discerning of Christ and the meaning of the Supper."

Father, thank You that even today I can commune with You and Your Son as I take my own cup and juice.  Help me to discern the Living Christ even more!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford