The Story of Jesus

Supper At Bethany

"Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming!" the news spread through Bethany quickly. How glad his friends were to hear this! What could they do to welcome him and show him their love?

Simon, who had once been a leper, planned to have a supper at his house for Jesus. Martha at once busied herself helping to get the meal ready. She was very 

thankful to Jesus for raising her brother from the dead. Helping with this dinner was one way she could show her thanks.

Lazarus eagerly awaited Jesus' coming too. When the people heard that Lazarus would be at this dinner, they wanted to see him. Was it really true that he had been raised from the dead? What did he look like? They would see for themselves. Although they were not invited they would go and stand around the room to watch.

Mary, too, wanted to see Jesus again. No women were invited to eat this dinner with Jesus and his disciples, but that would not keep Mary from seeing him. She must find some way to show him her love.

At last Jesus and his disciples arrived. Simon welcomed them to his home. The guests were brought into the dining hall and the food was served. Curious onlookers crowded in.

While the guests ate, Mary brought a container of expensive perfume. It had taken a whole year's wages to buy it, but she wanted to give Jesus her very best. Mary made her way to the couch where Jesus reclined. She poured the rare perfume on his head and feet. Then she knelt and wiped his feet with her hair.

As soon as the container was broken, the scent of sweet perfume filled the air. People knew at once that this perfume was expensive. The disciples began to whisper among themselves, "Why has she done this?"

Judas Iscariot, who was treasurer for the disciples, said, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?"

Jesus knew what his disciples thought. He told them, "Let this woman alone. Why should you trouble her? She has done a good work. She has anointed my body for burial. You will always have the poor with you, but I shall not be with you much longer. By this anointing, Mary has shown her love for me. I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, it will be told that Mary did this for her Lord."

Judas Iscariot did not like Jesus' words, for he loved money. He hoped to be a rich ruler in the kingdom he expected Jesus to set up. After the supper was over Judas went to Jerusalem to see the chief priests and scribes. He would turn Jesus over to them.

For many days Jesus' enemies had planned how they might capture the Master. After Lazarus had been raised from the dead, they were all the more eager to get rid of Jesus because he had gained many new followers.