The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1906-10-26
JESUS AMOUNTED
In BETHANY
Sunday School Lesson Tor Oct. rs. 1906
Specially Prepared for This Paper.
Specially Prepared for This Paper.

LESSON TEXT.-Matt. 2e:s-16. Memory
verses, ~, 10.
| good work upon me. Matt 26:l0
| tTIME.-The Saturday evening previous
| to our last lesson, the evening OF the
Jewish Sabbath, April ], A. ID. 80.
| PLACE.-Bethany, on the Mount OF
| Olives. at the house of Simon, who had
been leper.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
| V. 6. In the house of Simon the
leper" 1t is commonly supposed that
this man, of whom nothing further is
known, had been healed of his disease
by Jesus.
| v. Z. There came unto him a won.
an" Jesus, with other male guests,
was reclining at the table. when Mary,
the sister of Lazarus and Martha,
came to him. "Alabaster box"
bottle, or cruise, made of the rare and
delicate alabaster. Very precious
ointment" The other accounts tell
us that this ointment was the rare and
costly spikenard distilled from an
odorous plant which grew in the far
east, and mingled with oil, making a
rich perfume unknown to modern
chemists. In quantity 1t was pound
that is IL ounces. Poured it on
his head" Also upon his feet (John),
and in her eagerness TO lavish every
drop upon her beloved, perhaps she
crushed the fragile jar MARK. She
also wiped his feet with her hair
John. The practice of amounting the
person with perfumed oils was as com
mon among the Hebrews as among
other oriental peoples.
V. s. His disciples had indigna
ton" Judas was the spokesman, but
the other apostles joined him in con.
demning Mary's lavish expenditure.
V. 9. Might have been sold for
much" It's value was estimated by
Judas at 300 pence; that is, about $45.
Given to the poor" This was Judas
suggestion, made, not because he
cared for the poor, but because as
treasurer of the little band he would
have had opportunity to purloin some
portion of the money entrusted to
him.
". 10. when Jesus understood"
Jesus perceived that some actually
condemned Mary's beautiful deed. 1t,
of course, panied Mary to be criticised
by good men for whom she had great
esteem, and Jesus reproved them, say
ing, "Why trouble we the woman? for
she hath wrought a good work" The
apostles thought Mary had wasted her
ointment.
V. IL. eye have the poor always
| A. hat lou In
day and land since, there have been
abundant opportunities for Jesus
friends to help the poor. He recog-
nizes this service as done unto him
Matt. 25:31-46). But me we have
not always" Only few days longer
would the friends of Jesus have to ex-
press their loving devotion to his per-
son.
V. II. "She did 1t for my burial" 1t
was customary for the Jews to anoint
the dead body for burial.
V. 10. "Wheresoever this gospel
shall be preached" Wherever the good
news shall be proclaimed how God.
through the life and death of his Son,
poured out his love and life in sacri-
fee for his children, there shall the
story also be told of Mary, who poured
out her dearest treasure to express
her love TO Jesus. In the whole
world" Jesus poured out his life for
all mankind, and he foresaw that this
good news would be proclaimed
throughout the world
V. II. Then" Very soon after this
feast. Judas Iscariot." Judas of
Xerioth. the only one of the apostolic
band who was not Galilean. He had
enjoyed the advantage of intimate
companionship with Jesus for three
years, but his avaricious heart had
not been won to love the loving One.
Went unto the chief priests" The
priests, of whom Caiaphas was the
leader, had determined to seize Jesus
and put him out of the way. They
eagerly welcomed Judas, who came to
them and offered to betray his Lord.
V. Is. What will We give me?" This
sentence gives us a key to Judas
character. He was continually seek.
ing something for himself. Jesus
words, from the early days of his min
istry, indicate that he felt that Judas
heart was not with him John $40;
Matt. 26:25). Thirty pieces of sill
YER" Thirty shekels; that is, a little
less than $40 in our money. An an.
cient prophet had foretold the very
price for which Jesus would be sold
Zach. 11:12).
v. 16. Opportunity to betray him."
The chief priests were anxious that
Jesus should be quietly and secretly
delivered into their hands. lest there
be an uprising of the people In his de
tense.
Practical Points.
". Z. Estimate the precious things"
Christ has poured out. until you feel
there is naught too precious to pour
out upon him. Pet. 1919; IA, z; 2
Pet. Ia.
". s. A. cold heart cannot under.
stand the power and beauty Of en-