**The Anointing at Bethany and the Triumphal Entry**
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the village where Lazarus lived, the man He had raised from the dead. The air was thick with anticipation, for the news of Lazarus’ resurrection had spread like wildfire, and many were eager to see both Jesus and the man who had been dead four days. The streets buzzed with whispers of miracles, and the scent of olive trees and wildflowers mingled with the earthy aroma of the countryside.
In Bethany, a dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor at the home of Simon the Leper, a man whose life had been transformed by the healing touch of the Messiah. The house was filled with the rich fragrance of roasted lamb, freshly baked bread, and spiced wine. Martha, ever the diligent hostess, moved about the room, ensuring every detail was perfect. Her brother Lazarus reclined at the table with Jesus, his presence a living testimony to the power of the Son of God. Mary, their sister, sat nearby, her heart brimming with gratitude and love for the One who had restored her brother to life.
As the meal progressed, Mary rose quietly and left the room. She returned moments later carrying an alabaster jar of pure nard, an expensive perfume imported from the distant mountains of India. The jar itself was a thing of beauty, its smooth surface catching the flickering light of the oil lamps. The room fell silent as Mary knelt before Jesus, her eyes glistening with tears of devotion. Without a word, she broke the seal of the jar, and the rich, heady fragrance of the perfume filled the room, overpowering even the aroma of the feast.
Mary poured the nard onto Jesus’ feet, the precious liquid cascading like liquid gold. Then, in an act of profound humility, she loosened her hair—a gesture considered improper in public—and began to wipe His feet with her tresses. The room was thick with emotion; some were moved by her devotion, while others were scandalized by her actions.
Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, broke the silence. “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages!” His voice was sharp, but his heart was far from righteous. He cared little for the poor; he was a thief who often helped himself to the disciples’ common purse.
Jesus, knowing the thoughts of Judas, replied with gentle firmness, “Leave her alone. 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.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. The disciples exchanged uneasy glances, for Jesus often spoke of His impending death, but they could not fully grasp the weight of His words. Mary, however, seemed to understand. Her act of anointing was not merely an expression of love but a prophetic gesture, preparing Jesus for the sacrifice He would soon make.
The next day, news spread that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. A great crowd of pilgrims who had come for the festival heard He was approaching and went out to meet Him. They carried palm branches, symbols of victory and triumph, and waved them in the air as they shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!”
Jesus, riding on a young donkey, fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah: “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.” The colt had never been ridden before, yet it moved calmly beneath Him, as if aware of the sacredness of its burden. The crowds spread their cloaks on the road, creating a royal carpet for their King. Children danced and sang, their voices pure and joyful, while the adults cried out in exultation.
The Pharisees, watching from the sidelines, were filled with indignation. “Look how the whole world has gone after Him!” they muttered to one another. They could not deny the miracles He had performed, nor could they silence the voices of the people. Yet their hearts remained hardened, blinded by their own pride and fear.
Among the crowd were some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover. They approached Philip, one of the disciples, and said, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Philip, unsure of how to respond, consulted Andrew, and together they brought the request to Jesus.
Jesus’ response was enigmatic yet profound. “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” His words were a metaphor for His own death and resurrection, though the disciples did not fully comprehend their meaning at the time.
He continued, “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.”
As He spoke, a troubled look crossed His face. “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name!”
Suddenly, a voice thundered from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd stood in awe, some claiming it was thunder, while others said an angel had spoken to Him.
Jesus explained, “This voice was for your benefit, not Mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.” He was speaking of His crucifixion, though His listeners did not yet understand.
The people questioned Him, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever. How can You say the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”
Jesus replied, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”
With these words, He left them and hid Himself from their sight. Despite the many miracles He had performed, many still did not believe in Him. This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
Yet there were also many who believed, even among the leaders, though they did not confess their faith openly for fear of the Pharisees, who had already decided that anyone who acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. They loved human praise more than the praise of God.
As the sun set over Jerusalem, casting long shadows across the city, Jesus withdrew to a quiet place to pray. The events of the day weighed heavily on His heart. He knew that His hour was near, that the path before Him led to the cross. Yet He also knew that through His sacrifice, the world would be saved, and the Father’s name would be glorified.
And so, with unwavering resolve, He prepared to fulfill His mission, trusting in the Father’s plan and embracing the cup that had been given to Him. The stage was set for the greatest act of love the world would ever know.
