Sun,
Jun 29
1. THE LAST VISIT TO BETHANY
a. Describe the situation existing in Jerusalem at the time of Christ’s visit to Bethany and how this may have influenced some who attended Simon’s feast. John 11:55–57; Psalm 55:21.
“Simon of Bethany was accounted a disciple of Jesus. He was one of the few Pharisees who had openly joined Christ’s followers. He acknowledged Jesus as a teacher, and hoped that He might be the Messiah, but he had not accepted Him as a Saviour. His character was not transformed; his principles were unchanged.”—Ibid., p. 557.
b. What great blessing had Simon received, and how did he now show his gratitude to Jesus? Luke 7:36.
“Simon had been healed of the leprosy, and it was this that had drawn him to Jesus. He desired to show his gratitude, and at Christ’s last visit to Bethany he made a feast for the Saviour and His disciples.”—Ibid.
Mon,
Jun 30
2. RADIATING FROM THE HEART
a. Describe the hidden, behind-the-scenes type of situation that often exists in social gatherings—and how it existed on this occasion. Psalm 55:21.
“This feast brought together many of the Jews. There was at this time much excitement at Jerusalem. Christ and His mission were attracting greater attention than ever before. Those who had come to the feast closely watched His movements, and some of them with unfriendly eyes.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 557.
b. Relate the actions of Mary at Simon’s feast. Luke 7:37, 38; John 12:3.
“Mary was earnestly listening to every word from the lips of Jesus. In His mercy, Jesus had pardoned her sins, He had called forth her beloved brother from the grave, and Mary’s heart was filled with gratitude. She had heard Jesus speak of His approaching death, and in her deep love and sorrow she had longed to show Him honor. At great personal sacrifice she had purchased an alabaster box of ‘ointment of spikenard, very costly,’ with which to anoint His body. But now many were declaring that He was about to be crowned king. Her grief was turned to joy, and she was eager to be first in honoring her Lord. Breaking her box of ointment, she poured its contents upon the head and feet of Jesus; then, as she knelt weeping, moistening them with her tears, she wiped His feet with her long, flowing hair.”—Ibid., pp. 558, 559.
c. What was Judas’s reception of this act? John 12:4, 5; Matthew 26:8, 9.
“[Mary] had sought to avoid observation, and her movements might have passed unnoticed, but the ointment filled the room with its fragrance, and published her act to all present. Judas looked upon this act with great displeasure. Instead of waiting to hear what Christ would say of the matter, he began to whisper his complaints to those near him, throwing reproach upon Christ for suffering such waste. Craftily he made suggestions that would be likely to cause disaffection.”—Ibid., p. 559.
Tue,
Jul 1
3. THE MALICE OF JUDAS
a. In reality, why did Judas criticize Mary’s act of anointing Jesus’ feet? John 12:6.
“Judas was treasurer for the disciples, and from their little store he had secretly drawn for his own use, thus narrowing down their resources to a meager pittance. He was eager to put into the bag all that he could obtain. The treasure in the bag was often drawn upon to relieve the poor; and when something that Judas did not think essential was bought, he would say, Why is this waste? why was not the cost of this put into the bag that I carry for the poor? Now the act of Mary was in such marked contrast to his selfishness that he was put to shame; and according to his custom, he sought to assign a worthy motive for his objection to her gift. Turning to the disciples, he asked, ‘Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.’ Judas had no heart for the poor. Had Mary’s ointment been sold, and the proceeds fallen into his possession, the poor would have received no benefit.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 559.
b. How did the disciples consider Judas—and how did he consider himself? John 13:29.
“Judas had a high opinion of his own executive ability. As a financier he thought himself greatly superior to his fellow disciples, and he had led them to regard him in the same light. He had gained their confidence, and had a strong influence over them. His professed sympathy for the poor deceived them, and his artful insinuation caused them to look distrustfully upon Mary’s devotion.”—Ibid., pp. 559, 560.
c. Describe what often drives those who quietly murmur to others—and how it can affect sensitive souls being targeted by it. Jude 1:16.
“Mary heard the words of criticism. Her heart trembled within her. She feared that her sister would reproach her for extravagance. The Master, too, might think her improvident. Without apology or excuse she was about to shrink away.”—Ibid., p. 560.
Wed,
Jul 2
4. SIMON AND MARY
a. How was Simon affected by his own pharisaical pride and by Mary’s act—and how did he judge Jesus? Luke 7:39.
“Simon the host had been influenced by the criticism of Judas upon Mary’s gift, and he was surprised at the conduct of Jesus. His Pharisaic pride was offended. . . .
“By curing Simon of leprosy, Christ had saved him from a living death. But . . . because Christ allowed this woman to approach Him, because He did not indignantly spurn her as one whose sins were too great to be forgiven, because He did not show that He realized she had fallen, Simon was tempted to think that He was not a prophet.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 566.
b. What knowledge of the intimate lives of Simon and Mary did Jesus reveal? Luke 7:40–43. How did Jesus rebuke Simon, and why? Luke 7:44–46.
“[Simon] did not realize that God’s Son must act in God’s way, with compassion, tenderness, and mercy. Simon’s way was to take no notice of Mary’s penitent service. Her act of kissing Christ’s feet and anointing them with ointment was exasperating to his hardheartedness. He thought that if Christ were a prophet, He would recognize sinners and rebuke them. . . .
“As did Nathan with David, Christ concealed His home thrust under the veil of a parable. He threw upon His host the burden of pronouncing sentence upon himself. Simon had led into sin the woman he now despised. She had been deeply wronged by him. . . . But Simon felt himself more righteous than Mary, and Jesus desired him to see how great his guilt really was. He would show him that his sin was greater than hers.”—Ibid., pp. 566, 567.
c. How did the Jews react when Jesus said that Mary’s sins were forgiven? Luke 7:48, 49. What effect did Christ’s parable have on Simon’s heart?
“Simon now began to see himself in a new light. He saw how Mary was regarded by One who was more than a prophet. He saw that with keen prophetic eye Christ read her heart of love and devotion. Shame seized upon him, and he realized that he was in the presence of One superior to himself.”—Ibid., p. 567.
Thu,
Jul 3
5. SIMON’S CONVERSION
a. As unsure as the outcome may seem to us, why are we encouraged to speak candidly with sinners such as Simon? Proverbs 9:8; James 5:20.
“While Mary was a sinner pardoned, [Simon] was a sinner unpardoned. The rigid rule of justice he had desired to enforce against her condemned him.
“Simon was touched by the kindness of Jesus in not openly rebuking him before the guests. He had not been treated as he desired Mary to be treated. He saw that Jesus did not wish to expose his guilt to others, but sought by a true statement of the case to convince his mind, and by pitying kindness to subdue his heart. Stern denunciation would have hardened Simon against repentance, but patient admonition convinced him of his error. He saw the magnitude of the debt which he owed his Lord. His pride was humbled, he repented, and the proud Pharisee became a lowly, self-sacrificing disciple.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 567, 568.
b. What did Jesus say about Mary’s act, and what encouraging words did He address to her? Matthew 26:12, 13; Luke 7:50.
“Mary had been looked upon as a great sinner, but Christ knew the circumstances that had shaped her life. He might have extinguished every spark of hope in her soul, but He did not. It was He who had lifted her from despair and ruin. Seven times she had heard His rebuke of the demons that controlled her heart and mind. She had heard His strong cries to the Father in her behalf. She knew how offensive is sin to His unsullied purity, and in His strength she had overcome.”—Ibid., p. 568.
Fri,
Jul 4
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. In my walk with God, how can I cultivate the better qualities of Mary?
2. What warning should I take in noticing Judas’ attitude at the feast?
3. How can I avoid the pitfall into which Simon’s thoughts led him?
4. When can Christ’s words of comfort to Mary apply in my life?
5. What should I learn from how Jesus convinced Simon of his error?