Hi guys,
This week we are beginning to read about Jesus' last week. Of course, the Waldrons make the good point Jesus' life didn't really have a beginning or an end, but in our view of His earthly life, this was the last week before His death on the cross.
I wonder why John mentions the names of Mary (who washed Jesus' feet) and Judas (who specifically was upset with the "waste" of the costly perfume). It may be that John wrote his gospel much later than the other three. Perhaps the other three were more general to "protect the innocent." Or not. I don't know.
We have seen how blind the Pharisees could be. When faced with EVIDENCE of Jesus' godhood (such as the power to heal a blind man), they simply rejected Him as a sinner and anyone who believed Him as sinners. In Matt. 21:14-16 Jesus again was performing many miracles, and the children responded to His great power by saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" The Pharisees became indignant at this! They said, "Do you hear what the children are saying?" Jesus asked, "Yes; have you never read" (ouch!) "'OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF'?"
The point is CHILDREN could see Jesus' great power. CHILDREN praised Him as the "Son of David" which means they understood His right to the throne of Israel. And these Pharisees, learned in the law of Moses, could only become indignant and offended at Him. Pathetic. Yes, well, humans are pretty pathetic, aren't we?
Nathan