52-MaryBethany-A

And We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus

Mary of Bethany
SPIRIT KING

Spring AD 30
Jerusalem, Judea

�� Jesus, where are you?� We want you back in Jerusalem.� We're ready for you.� We need you.� To lead our religion.� To lead our kingdom.� Jesus, come back.

�� Bringing Lazarus back to life at the cemetery has convinced everyone, even many of the priests ~ the honest ones.� The ones willing to give up their power and position for something better.� Something ethereal.�

�� Can anyone this powerful not be destined to be the next high priest and king? [1] If he can bring people back to life, surely he can strike them dead too.� All his enemies.� Religious enemies.� Political enemies.� Personal enemies.� There is no doubt that Jesus can do it.�

�� But no one turns up in the capital city.� Momentum builds anyway, taking on a life of its own.� The talk all over town is of one thing.� All you have to do is walk into any barber shop, stand in line at any place in the market or wander around the city square.

�� "Do you think he'll do it?"�

�� Automatically everyone knows who "he" is.� And "do it."� That means show up in Jerusalem to take over.� Everyone knows.

�� Jesus has become a folk hero.� And more.� The common people are ready to force him to become their priestly king.� They'll do it too. [2]

�� Wanted notices appear all over Jerusalem.� For two people.� Jesus and Lazarus.� Wanted for questioning is what the notices say.� Everyone knows different.� These two men are dangerous, so the leaders say.� Jesus, the power source; Lazarus, the power proof.� With them out of the way, the movement will die.� Surely someone out there who values his job is willing to turn state's evidence. [3]

�� Special notices are sent to rabbis at synagogues all over the country.� "Jesus teaches heresy.� He must be stopped." Rabbis, wanting to stay on the good side of their religious hierarchy, follow obediently and preach their sermons accordingly.� They quote scriptures and creeds.

�� Special notices are sent to city elders throughout the country.� "Jesus teaches treason.� He must be stopped."� Mayors wanting to stay on the good side of the occupation government, follow the political line and make their speeches accordingly.� They quote laws and bylaws. [4]

�� Still nothing.

�� King Jesus, hurry.

�� Don't desert us.� Now that our hopes are up.�

�� We will do anything for you.� We will redecorate Pilate's Palace.� We'll have a wood shop added for your hobby.� We'll put in a new park with a monument to you right in the middle.�

�� We'll start a new national holiday:� Jesus' Liberation Day we'll call it.� We'll have a coronation for you like you never dreamed.

�� Jesus, where are you?

�� Small banners are being made by some of the women with the star of David on them.�

�� Jesus, descendant of David, don't keep us waiting.

�� Secret meetings everywhere.� Meetings of the overjoyed; meetings of the overwhelmed.� People looking forward to his return; people dreading his return.� Those ready to elevate him; those ready to assassinate him.

�� Jesus, it is now or never.

March AD 30
Bethany, Judea

�� In a nearby suburb Mary is thinking the same thing.� It is time for Jesus to declare himself king of the Kingdom of God.� She has known him long enough.� He has been in her home.� She has seen his power directly.� Lazarus is her brother.� If anyone could know, it would be Mary.

�� Indeed, it IS time to take action.� She will do in private what he must do in public.� She will do something to represent his coronation in private.� For he will not just be the king of God's kingdom in Palestine, but he will be her personal king.�

�� How she admires Jesus.� His wisdom is indeed from above.� He is indeed from God.� How she loves him and is in awe of him.�

�� She thinks back on the story she has heard Jesus' own mother tell.� How he hung back just a little in declaring he could and would deliver Palestine.� So his mother gave him the nudge he needed.

�� "Go on!" Jesus' mother had said that day at the wedding.� "Go on!� Do it!� Begin proving you are from God.� Begin proving you are the Deliverer.� Begin right now.� They are out of wine.� Do it, Son.� Do it."

�� Jesus only told her she shouldn't be telling him when and when not to start the whole thing.� But she told him anyway.� She was still his mother and Jesus was as much human as God.� Mothers are always good nudgers. [5]

�� So he did.� He turned water to wine.� Thus he began to turn the world upside down.� Now he needed another womanly nudge.� Another Mary can do it this time.� Mary is like a sister to Jesus.� She can do it if anyone can.

�� So she does.

March AD 30
Jericho, Judea

�� One day she travels over to Jericho, a city much larger and with a much larger selection of everything.� She goes to a part of town selling exotic oils and incense.�

�� "Hello, my name is Mary.� I'd like to see some of your finer scented oils."

�� "What do you need?� Something for medicine, for food, for a cosmetic?"

�� "To anoint someone.� To put them into office."

�� "Oh, well, I don't have that kind.� I have medicinal and cosmetic, but that's all.� The next booth down might have what you want."

�� "Thank you."�

�� "Hello, my name is Mary.� I'd like to see some of your finer scented oils."

�� "What do you need?� Something for medicine, for a cosmetic, to bury someone?"

�� "No, it must be finer than that."

�� "Just how fine?"

�� "Fine enough to anoint a high priest or a king ~ or both." [6]

�� "Are you Jewish?"

�� "Yes, I am," Mary replies.

�� "You know it is illegal for you to have the oil used to anoint your high priest." [7]

�� "Yes, I know that, but you surely have something just as regal."

�� "I have some fine myrrh oil.� The finest.� Would you like that?� I could mix a little cassia in with it."

�� "No, that sounds too much like a funeral.� Perhaps something used to anoint kings in other countries."

�� "Well, the next booth has oils imported from India."

�� "Hello, my name is Mary.� I'd like to see some of your finer scented oils."

�� "We have only the finest.� All imported from Persia and India.� What would you like to use it for?"

�� "To anoint a priest and king," Mary replies.

�� The merchant becomes suspicious, but says nothing.� It is safer that way.� He does not get many customers.� Not at the prices he commands.

�� "An anointing oil.� I have just the one for you."

�� Mary is excited.� She knows this is the right thing to do.� It will prod Jesus a little.� Just enough to get him to act.

�� "I have a small vial over here for you to sample.� It has been open for several days, but much of the fragrance is still there."

�� The merchant places some of the oil on the back of Mary's hand.� She smells it.� It is heavenly.

�� "Is this nard?"

�� "Yes.� It is from the finest spikenard plants in India.�"

�� "I thought so.� I have had small vials of it occasionally, like your sample."

�� "I have it in the alabaster bottles you see on my shelf.� I have blue toned, green toned, rose toned, and plain white.� What is your preference?"

�� "I think the white."

�� Mary is convinced her decision is the right one.� When Jesus sees she and everyone is ready to anoint him on the spot, surely he will quit stalling.� Surely he will march into Jerusalem and take over.� His time has arrived and he knows it.� He just needs a little prod.� Like his mother gave him.

�� "Would you like to select a bottle yourself?� Each one has been finely molded by the best craftsmen in the business.� Notice the long necks that help keep the scent in if you do not use it all.

�� "I'll take that one, second over on the third shelf."

�� "A fine selection.� You will want to check it over and see that it is completely sealed."

�� Mary turns the fine alabaster bottle upside down, shakes it a little, and verifies that no oil has leaked out.

�� "Yes, this is the one I want."

�� "You haven't asked the price."

�� Mary looks at the merchant questioningly and waits.

�� "That will be two hundred denari."

�� Without hesitation, Mary takes the required money out of her pouch and hands it to the merchant.� She had not even haggled over the price with him.�

�� "Is this, by any chance, ma'am, for Jesus?� It is, isn't it?"

�� Mary smiles.� "Let's just say it is for someone the people love."

Bethany, Judea

�� Mary returns home and waits for the message she knows will come.� Jesus nearly always stays with them when he is in Jerusalem.� He will return soon.� Passover is in three weeks.� He will be here.

�� Indeed, the message does arrive.� Indeed, Jesus is coming for the national celebration.� Mary knows without a doubt his time has come.� He is the people's hero.� They have all decided.� They will not back down.� He will be staying at her home as usual.� She knew he would.�

�� Momentum builds in the capital city.� Momentum as people arrive for the Passover, the memorial holiday of independence from the Egyptians.� Momentum as people arrive ready to force Jesus into being their new king, their Deliverer.� He can do it.� They know he can.

�� The perfumer over at the market in Jericho is talking about it more than usual now too.

�� "Mark my words, Kenan.� He is going to be our next king.� The foreign powers, those Romans, and those crooks running our religion don't have a� chance."

�� To every customer he can get to listen to him.

�� "It's about to happen!� What a time we're living in!� Our ancestors craved for this day, and it is happening during our lifetime.� Man, oh man!"

�� Religious and political leaders grow more nervous.� They are not deaf.� They hear the talk.� They try to put a stop to it, but the more they do, the louder the talk becomes.�

�� The religious leaders in Jerusalem send out new notices to be posted around Jerusalem and suburbs.� Their jobs are at stake.� This time they offer a reward.

REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO

THE APPREHENSION AND CAPTURE OF JESUS.

YOU WILL BE SET FOR LIFE.

FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR RELIGION

FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR COUNTRY

HE MUST BE STOPPED.

STOP THE TRAITOR BEFORE HE MAKES YOU ALL TRAITORS.

SAVE YOUR RELIGION BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

SAVE YOUR COUNTRY BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

BE A PATRIOT

BE PIOUS

DESTROY JESUS

�� No one pays any attention to the notices.� The chief priests have wasted their time and money.

�� ....It is now a week before Passover.� What perfect timing.� Passover, the time to remember their forefathers being freed from Egyptian slavery 2500 years earlier.� Now Jesus will free them from Roman slavery.� Yes, perfect timing, Jesus.

�� There is a loud rap at the gate.� It is Jesus, his twelve apostles, his mother, his aunt, and several others close to him. [8]

�� "Come in!� Come in!" Lazarus announces with excitement.

�� As the guests file in, they cannot help but stare at their old friend just a little.� To think he was really dead four entire days.

�� Lazarus stares a little longer than usual at Jesus.� They make eye contact and Lazarus is once again locked in by a presence that is stronger than the very universe.� Lazarus has tried to explain it to people, but as articulate as he, he does not really know how.� They would not understand if he did.

�� "We noticed a crowd outside," Thomas comments as they file into the courtyard.

�� "Yes, there are a few left," Lazarus responds.

�� "What are they saying?"

�� "Some claim I came back by black magic.� Others that I got in tune with the force of the universe.� Others that it was Satan's doing."

�� "Is this what they're telling people?"

�� "Just the puppets of the Temple or state.� The rest just report it as the witnesses and I told it.� Jesus brought me back to life by the power of God."

�� Mary enters the room.

�� "Jesus, you're going to share our home through Passover, aren't you?"

�� "If you don't mind.� I'd like that.� Reborn Lazarus and I are going to have more and more in common by the time this celebration is over."

�� No one understands.� He does not offer to explain further.� They know eventually he will.

�� Martha joins them.� "Jesus, I'd like to have a big dinner for you Saturday if I may."

�� "Uh, Martha, I forgot to tell you.� Simon wants to give a dinner in Jesus' honor that night," Lazarus interrupts.

�� "The one he healed of leprosy?� Oh, well.� In that case, I'll walk over there and see if there is anything Mary and I can do to help.� I'll go over right now."

�� Arrangements are made.� Yes, Simon would be flattered if Martha would be in charge that night.� He knows how good a cook she is. [9]

Saturday, About April 9, AD 30 [10]

�� Saturday arrives.� Martha has made all the arrangements for food delivery and is busy in Simon's kitchen.� He has provided a lot of help and she has given everyone an assignment.� Dinner will be at about dark.� But guests are to arrive shortly before.

�� There is a rap on Simon's gate.� The first guests have arrived.� Simon answers the gate himself. [11]

�� "Is Lazarus here yet?"

�� "No, but he is coming."

�� "I went to his funeral, you know."

�� Another knock on the gate.

�� "Have we missed anything?"

�� "No, you're among the first."

�� "t;Is Jesus here?� And Lazarus?� He really brought Lazarus back to life?"

�� "Yes, he certainly did." [12]

�� "He'll make some kind of leader, that Jesus.� And I'll be able to tell my grand children some day I knew Jesus before he became high priest-king.� Even ate with him."

�� Gradually Simon's home fills up with well wishers.� They are celebrating Jesus' delivering the kingdom from foreign powers and hypocritical religious leaders.� They know it is eminent.� The air is electric with excitement.

�� Finally an announcement is made.� It is Martha.� "Dinner is served!" she calls out.

�� Everyone files into the dining hall and is seated on velvet cushions.� Jesus is placed at the head of the table.� Lazarus, the other honored guest, is next to him on one side.� Simon will sit next to Jesus on the other side.

�� Simon remains standing and everyone waits for his opening remarks.

�� "This is an awesome occasion tonight.� We have with us our dear friend, Lazarus, who we buried just a few weeks ago!"

�� Everyone applauds with awesome exhilleration.

�� Simon looks over at Lazarus a moment, then at Jesus.

�� "Thank you, Jesus.� You returned our friend to us.� But more than that, you demonstrated a power such as we have never seen before.� Only God can give life."

�� "Hallelujah!" someone calls out.�

�� Simon continues in a softened voice.� "Let us give God thanks now, for Jesus, our souls' bread of life, while we also thank God for the bread before us."

�� The group bows their heads and Simon leads them in a prayer.� A prayer raising torrents of emotion.� Gratitude rushing uncontrolled to the ears of God.�

�� "At last, oh God, you have sent us the Deliverer, the Messiah!� We thank you for him.� We thank you for this food too.� May it give us the strength everyone needs when the new kingdom of God is declared.� The time is now, God.� Thank you."

�� Then the amen.� Others around the table add their amens.

�� Martha, the hostess, brings in the food in Simon's fine dishes and the guests help themselves.� The mood picks up again from solemnity to celebration.�

�� But people are not talking to Lazarus much.� How do you talk to someone who used to be dead?� He decides to lighten things up for them.

�� "I apologize for the wasted funeral.� I understand it was a very fine one!"

�� Laughter.�

�� "Nothing but the best for you, Lazarus ole boy!"

�� Things loosen up after this.� They are back in the celebrating mood.�

�� After all, this very Jesus with whom they are eating is about to take over the country and run the foreign powers out.�

�� The eve of victory.� It cannot be helped.� It cannot be controlled.� Victory is deliriously intoxicating.

�� Unexpectedly, Mary leaves the kitchen area and approaches Jesus.� Martha watches from the doorway.

�� "What is she doing, standing there staring at Jesus like that?" someone whispers.

�� Mary has a beautiful urn with her.� She breaks the seal and the aroma immediately fills the room.� She kneels at Jesus' feet.� She stares at him, then pours some of it on his feet.� He does not move away from her.� She loosens her hair and spreads the ointment evenly.� Still Jesus does not move.� The room is now silent.� Dare she continue? [13]

�� She looks into Jesus' eyes.� He understands.� It will not turn out the way Mary intends.� Some day Mary will understand why.� But for now, Jesus welcomes her to finish her deed of honor.

�� "Jesus, you have been holding back.� The whole country wants you to be their high priest-king."

�� Jesus does not resist.

�� Mary stands and moves toward Jesus' head with her urn of oil still in her hands.� The guests are amazed at what they know is about to happen.� And by a woman too.� Jesus is about to be anointed priest and king. [14]

�� She tips the urn ceremonially, and the precious anointing oil flows quickly to Jesus' head. [15]

�� "Jesus," Mary explains, "in the tradition of our country, I am anointing you our priest and king.� Not officially, of course, but in our hearts you will always be our priest and king." [16]

�� Mumbling.� Grumbling.� Snorting. [17]

�� "It's not Mary's place to do this.� What is she trying to pull"

�� "It must have cost her a fortune.� Look at the alabaster urn the oil was in."

�� Martha walks over and whispers to her brother, Lazarus.� "Just like another Mary we know, Lazarus.� Jesus' mother had to nudge him.� Now our Mary is nudging him to take his place as leader of our religion and country."

�� "That's our Mary!" Lazarus responds quietly, but with a gleam in his eye.

�� Jesus looks over at Mary.� Will he like it?� Will he approve?� What will he do?

�� "Thank you, Mary," he responds barely audibly.

�� She is not surprised at his words, but she is at his expression.� Despite the jovial mood of the evening, Jesus has remained somber.� Much more somber than usual.� Even a little sad.� She is glad she did this for him.� She is sure the boost will do him good.��

�� She is smiling.� Jesus' thanks is all she wanted.� He approves.� He is indeed ready to take his place as Deliverer of the kingdom.� Good.� It worked.

�� Thus far no one has spoken openly.� Jesus' expression is confusing.

�� "What a waste!� I know value when I see it.� This was pure nard.� It must have cost over a year's wages.� We could have given that money to the poor."

�� "That's right!� She had no business wasting money like that!" [18]�

�� "Have you forgotten your priorities, Mary?" Judas demands.� He is angry.� Righteous indignation is what it is.�

�� "This cost her a fortune!� Look at the loss to the poor."

�� That's true, Judas.� But why does that concern you?� It was her money.�

�� "I demand to know why all the money she put into this expensive oil was not given to the poor instead."

�� Mary looks around confused.

�� "He is right, you know," someone else replies.� "Mary wasted her money."�

�� Judas keeps the momentum going.

�� "The official anointing oil is in the Temple."

�� "What a waste!"

�� Mary looks over at Jesus.� Tears come to her eyes.� She does not understand.

�� "Now what's going to happen to all the poor she didn't help?"� Very good, Judas.� Send her on a rip-roaring guilt trip.

�� Judas feels betrayed by Mary.� He could have had that money.� For the good of the cause, of course.� Judas the Lord's treasurer.� Judas the extortioner.� Judas who pads his expenses and makes up bogus uses for the money. [19]

�� "Jesus, tell her.� Tell her it wasn't her place.� Tell her she has got to think of the poor every time she spends her money."

�� "Stop it!"

�� It is Jesus.� How could they spoil his moment like this?� He is miffed at the whole reception Mary is receiving.�

�� "Why are you harassing her?� Leave her alone!� What she did was honorable and touching." [20]

�� Then he looks at Judas.�

�� "And what are you doing with our treasury, Judas?"

�� Does he know?� Judas grows apprehensive.� He had thought he had covered his trail better than that.�

�� "The poor are always around," Jesus continues.� You have had all the chances in the world to help them."

�� "Well, I help all I can...."

�� "Do you?"

�� Then Jesus looks at the others in the room.� "The poor will always be here.� But I will not." [21]

�� Some nod in agreement.� Most nod in confusion.� Is he saying he is better than the poor?�

�� Maybe he is saying he is offering to the poor something more valuable than money.�

�� "Mary has done her best for me."

�� Mary smiles in relief.� Tears of pride in her Deliverer, her Messiah, her king come to her eyes.

�� Then comes the shocker.

�� "Mary has anointed my body with spices for my funeral." [22]

�� Never used to the surprises Jesus continually springs on them, every eye stares at him in disbelief.

�� "Oh, no, Jesus.� You have got the wrong idea," Mary explains.� "This is for your coronation, not your burial."

�� They are the same, Mary.� They are the same.

�� "This anointing is in honor of your coming to power as our Messiah!"

�� Yes.� And it will do fine.� Just wait till everyone sees how he does it!

�� "What Mary has done today was part of the prophecies about me.� Her name will go down in history.� Just as she purchased this oil from a distant land, what she has done will be spread to distant lands." [23]

�� Your death?� Your burial?� How can that be, Jesus?� You must be tired from all your traveling.� You are all mixed up.

�� Jesus looks over at Mary and smiles again.� And again he says, "Thank you."

�� In a few moments, the meal is resumed.� In confusion.

�� "Death?" someone whispers to the person next to him.� "Death?� He's not going to die.� He has power over death.� It will never happen.� He is just tired."

�� "What does he mean, he's going to die?" someone else mutters.� "He has the whole country eating out of his hands.� They are about to make him king!"

�� "It must be figurative.� You know.� He's going to die as a commoner and come alive as the king.� He's going to die as a nobody and come alive as a somebody.� That kind of thing."

�� "I think he means it," one of his apostles comments. "I'm afraid to admit it, but I think he means it."

�� "Well, if he is actually going to die, what is he so confident about?� He still acts like he's going to be the Deliverer."

�� "I don't know.� I don't understand him.� He surely has some kind of surprise in store."

�� "There's no doubt in my mind that by this time tomorrow Jesus will have taken over the Temple and the palace with one fell swoop."

�� "How do you think he'll do it?"

�� "He has power to raise people from the dead with one word, doesn't he?� He will undoubtedly use the same power to strike his enemies dead."

�� "Maybe he will turn them all into statues like what happened to our ancestor in Abraham's time.� Remember how Lot's wife became a statue of salt?" [24]

�� "Then they could salute him forever," comes the mocking reply.�

�� "You better believe it!"

�� "Jesus, we're behind you one hundred percent!"

�� "We're with you all the way!"

�� "It's your way or the highway to anyone who does not follow your leadership"

�� Jesus smiles in response, but remains rather quiet.� They do not understand.� He should be celebrating.� V-Day.� This is the eve of his takeover!� He should be excited.� What is wrong, Jesus?� Maybe he is just tired.� That's it.� He has a big day ahead of him.

�� Mary notices Jesus' behavior, then goes back to the kitchen.� She looks at her sister in confusion.

�� "I was trying to do the right thing, Martha."

�� "You did, Mary.� He knows you did it out of love."

�� "But I was trying to memorialize his life, not his death.� I was trying to give him the nudge he needed to declare himself high priest and king."

�� "He knew that.� He understood.� And he will take over in his own way."

�� "I'm worried, Martha.� Something is not right."

�� "Remember what he did for our brother when things seemed so wrong?"

�� The two women begin cleaning up the kitchen.� They are quiet.� They sense something.

�� In the mean time, back out in the dining hall, "Uh, Simon, do you have a messenger I could use?"

�� "Sure, Judas.� Go to the kitchen and Martha will tell you where he is.� Anything serious?� Can I help?"

�� "No, just taking care of some things before the big day tomorrow.� I've got contacts."

�� Not sure about Judas' meaning, Simon nods and returns to his dessert.

�� Judas slips out of the dining hall and toward the kitchen.� Mary's nudge was purchased at great cost.� Mary was a fool.� Judas can make money with this one.

�� He asks Martha for a small scroll.� She has been in Simon's home many times and knows where he keeps the blank ones.� She hands it to him, then leaves him alone as he scribbles a message.

�� Suddenly dinner in the other room comes to a halt.� There are people out in the street.

�� "Hail to the king!"� People are cheering.

�� "Hail to Jesus!� Hail to our new high priest-king!"

�� Simon goes to the gate and looks out.

�� The street in front of his house is filling with people.

�� People carrying little homemade banners with the star of David on them.

�� Others with palm branches signifying the Day of Atonement which officially is not until next fall, but which in their hearts is now.

�� People chanting

�� Praise!� Glory!� Honor to Jesus, the son of David!�

�� Praise!� Glory!� Honor to Jesus, the son of David!

�� People singing:� Victory in Jesus!� Victory eternal!

�� More people arriving.� More people joining in the celebration.

�� No stopping them.

�� Half an hour passes.� An hour.� Still the crowd grows.� The Romans send troops over to check out what is happening.� They report back to their commander.

�� "Apparently Jesus is in Simon's house and is expected to enter Jerusalem tomorrow.� The people are proclaiming support of their self-appointed leader.� They want him to take over the Temple, and maybe even the palace.� They are forcing him into office."

�� Their commander laughs.

�� "A reluctant king, huh?� He's not worth bothering with.� Let them have their fun tonight.� A few of you go back, but don't interfere.� He's harmless."

�� "Do you see him anywhere?" Androcles asks one of the other guards.

�� "We know he is in the house.� He has not made an appearance yet.� Wait....� He's coming through the gate now.� Yes.� That's him.�"

�� Jesus stands and waves at the people.� He is consenting.� He is agreeing to their demands.� He is ready to for his takeover.

�� "Do you know anything about this Jesus," another soldier asks his friend.

�� "I've never heard him speak.� All I know is that he has taken the country by storm in a little over three years."

Jerusalem, Judea

�� In the mean time just a few miles away a messenger arrives at the Temple.

�� Jesus needs another shove in the right direction.� Mary did it the wrong way.� Judas will do it the right way.

�� It is delivered to the priest on duty that night.� The outside has instructions to deliver it only to one of the chief priests.

�� "Greetings from Judas of Kerioth.� What are you willing to give me in exchange for Jesus?� I am at the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany.� I await your reply." [25]

LIFE APPLICATION

1.�� Do you know someone who is good at something, but needs a nudge to get started?� Who is it?� Contact that person today to give them that nudge.

2.�� Jesus gave a very expensive gift to mankind.� He gave us his blood, shed on the cross, dying in our place for the sins we committed, not him.� In what way do people show their disdain for this gift?� In what ways have you done so?� How will you rectify it?

3.�� People were jealous of Mary for thinking of the anointing when they hadn't.� Judas claimed the money could have been given to the poor when his real intention was to extort the money.� In what way do people sometimes sabatage others' good works that they are jealous of?� In what way do you?� How will you work to change that part of your nature?

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