Seven days and counting. Seven days before His much anticipated reunion with His Father. Walking the hot, dusty road, Jesus led the disciples to Bethany .
Each step brought Him closer to His destiny, a calling His disciples could not comprehend. Did His feet drag with each step? Did His heart anguish the mind’s image as He foresaw His immediate future?
How did God encourage His Son throughout the most difficult week of His life?
How does God encourage us through our difficult days? Do we see and know that encouragement?
Over the next six weeks we will witness how God supplied exactly what His Son needed in order to carry out His calling to build a bridge between God and us. Maybe you’ll recognize the very same Father supplying all your needs just for the moment you are in.
Hot, dusty and tired, Jesus arrived at Bethany. How He must have smiled to see dear friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus! They provided not only the physical refreshment of a meal and drink and a shelter from the blazing sun, but also a peaceful place to rest both the weary body and soul.
As Mary lavishly poured out nard on Jesus’ feet, the strong scent of the rich perfume permeated the room. Jesus relaxed, reclining at the table with His good friend Lazarus. He exhaled as He enjoyed the cleansing of His feet with the sweet smell filling the air.
His peace was momentarily threatened when Judas, the dishonest disciple, questioned Mary’s motives and practicality. “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages,” asked Judas.
Jesus knew Judas’ heart. Judas wasn’t as concerned with the poor as he was with his personal profit.
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
Jesus knew what was coming. His own death. A torturous death. A criminal’s death. A punishment He would bear although He was completely innocent.
Yet, He didn’t appear stressed out.
He didn’t lash out at His would-be betrayer.
With patient authority, he explained that Mary had the right.
He also issued Judas a reminder and a warning. “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
God led Jesus to Bethany. He led Him into a time of fellowship with dear friends and with His disciples. While God provides for us and He himself is enough, isn’t it amazing when He uses those dear to us to build us up, refreshing our spirits and encouraging our very souls?
God also gave Jesus the grace He would need to instruct Judas. God called His very own Son into a most difficult situation, yet He went with Him and supplied the needed support.
God wants to do the very same for you and for me. When you and I are facing our very personal, very difficult situations, do we trust He will provide? Do we believe that even when it’s hard, when I wouldn’t author this, that I can have moments of peace and rest, and yes, God will supply those for me, because I am His child and He loves me. He wants to carry us through the tough times. Will we choose to allow Him? Or, will we push Him away?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that You provide for all our needs. Not just our physical needs, but our emotional and spiritual needs as well. Thank You that You want to carry me through those challenges. Please help me to trust You, cling to You and allow You to carry me through. Please help me not to wallow in despair, becoming depressed over my circumstances. Life is hard. You know that. You will supply all I need to get through each day. Thank You for Your faithfulness, In Jesus’ name, Amen.