Sat.’s Devo - Anointed and Set for His Destiny

Read Mark 14:3-9, 11:1-11; Matthew 26:6-13, 21: 1-11; John 12:1- 36; Luke 19: 28-40, 12:12-36
I wonder if the lady with the spikenard knew the significance of what she was doing. Spikenard is also referred to as a “grain of wheat”. It was a thick perfume worth 300 pence which was a year’s wages. This act was openly criticized by Jesus’ disciples who were rebuked by Jesus. This woman realized who was in her midst more than they did and she would be forever remembered for anointing him for burial. It was John that gave us the details that it was Mary who did this and she wiped his feet with her hair. He said that the whole house was filled with the odor of the perfume. John leaves out the part about being anointed for burial.
Next we have Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He took the path of the temple lamb. First the temple lamb walked that rode and the people traditionally praised it with palm branches. Then Jesus came and they did the same for him. This was the fulfillment of prophecy that Jesus would come riding on a donkey. I believe that Jesus came on a donkey because a donkey is extremly stubborn and self-willed. Jesus was stubbornly set to come to Jerusalem to die. None of his disciples wanted him to do this. Jesus willingly laid down his life for us. No one could talk him out of it. When Jesus explained what he was doing he told them that it was time for him to enter into his glory. Then he said that a grain of wheat has to be planted into the ground and die in order to produce a harvest. He was that grain of wheat that come to walk the earth and die so that the harvest would come. When Jesus prayed in front of the crowd, God answered so all could hear him. God said, “I have already brought glory to my name and I will do so again.” The hard-hearted heard God’s voice as thunder but the open hearts heard the words. The people questioned his death saying that they understood the Messiah to live forever. Jesus answered that he was the light and they needed to receive him as the light so they could walk in light not darkness. Of course, they didn’t understand.
Jesus talked in riddles and hidden codes so that they would have to seek him to find him. Those that wanted him did just that. It is the same today. We have to seek him and learn to trust the unknown.
Lord, help us to trust the spirit of your Word and not get discouraged when you aren’t manifesting what we think you should.