Growing D eeply

a daily scripture guide

Week of March 27- April 2
Title - March 26
Scripture: Mark 14:1-11 (NRSV)
MONDAY: Mark 14:1-11 Knowing Right from Wrong It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The
The leaders who wanted to have Jesus arrested and killed must have known chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and
on some level that they were wrong because they wanted things to be done in kill him; for they said, Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the
secret. Things that must be done in secret very often are those that should not people.
be done at all.
REFLECTION: Reflect on the decision that was made and the effect that it had While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table,
on all of history that followed. a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she
broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there
TUESDAY: Mark 14:1-11 Anointing
who said to one another in anger, Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For
To be anointed by definition means to be prepared for a holy task. Kings and
this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the
priests were anointed. What this woman did for Jesus was an amazing thing,
money given to the poor. And they scolded her. But Jesus said, Let her alone;
symbolizing his being set apart for a truly holy task.
why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always
CONSIDER: Consider her actions. Did she realize what was to happen to Jesus;
have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish;
did she recognize his holiness; or was she simply doing what she could to bring
but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed
Jesus comfort?
my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is
WEDNESDAY: Mark 14:1-11 Misunderstanding proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of
Some in the group were angry with the actions of the woman, seeing only the her.
physical aspects. The money could have been used for other things, but the
spiritual aspect of her actions was undeniable. Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in
REFLECTION: Reflect on the effect this act must have had on Jesus. Have you order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and
ever been the beneficiary of a truly unselfish act? promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the
THURSDAY: Mark 14:1-11 Service National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.
Jesus said that the woman performed a good service. He was trying to help All rights reserved.
them understand that his physical presence would soon be gone.
CONSIDER: Jesus seems to be indicating that there is a time to reach out to
those around us and there is a time to reach inward and pay attention to our
relationship with the Christ in our lives. How can we work on doing both?
FRIDAY: Mark 14:1-11 To Be Remembered
What she has done will be told in remembrance of her.
REFLECTION: What do you want to be remembered for? What legacies and
lessons will you leave for those who follow you?
SATURDAY: Mark 14:1-11 Betrayal
Judas betrayed Jesus. Theologians have pondered for centuries over what his
motives might have been, but the reality is that he did.
PRAYER: Help us, dear God, to come to an understanding of this story that will
bring focus on you, on the sacrifice of Jesus, and on the impact that the actions Read or subscribe to the weekly guide at moumc.org/grow
of all involved have had on the world. Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.