resolved to kill

Therefore, from that same day they resolved together in order that they might kill him. Therefore, Jesus was no longer walking openly among the Judeans, but he came away from there into the region near the wilderness, into a town named “Ephraim”, and there he stayed with the disciples. (John’s first century eyewitness biography of Jesus: Chapter 11: 53 – 12:)

This extract begins with “Therefore, from that same day, they resolved together…” The “Therefore” is the underlying reason why the “they” resolved “together” – they could see that, if Jesus continued with his signs (which now included raising a man from the dead and the corruption of four days in the tomb), then their whole world would be taken away from them. The “they” were Jerusalem’s AD 30 chief priests, Pharisees and Sanhedrin members. The “that same day” was the day on which Caiphas, the high priest that year, had said to the Sanhedrin, “You yourselves do not discern anything nor are you reasoning that it is profitable to you that one man may die on behalf of the people and the whole race may not destruct.” In fact, the Passover of the Judeans was near, and many from the region ascended into Jerusalem before the Passover so that they might purify themselves.
Jerusalem was full of people seeking “to purify themselves”. That’s what many people try to do by going to church – “purify themselves”.	.
Therefore, they were seeking Jesus and were stating to one another, standing in the temple, “What do you think? That he will never come to the feast?” These people from the area surrounding Jerusalem (Judea) are noted as “standing in the temple”. Had they successfully “purified themselves” (at least in their own eyes)? Jesus’ presence seemingly had nothing to do with “purifying themselves”. In fact, the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commands orders that if anyone knew where he is, he should inform, so that they would imprison him. No wonder, then, that those people thought that “Jesus will never come”. Jesus therefore, before six days of Passover, came into Bethany, where Lazarus was, the one Jesus raised from the dead. They therefore made for him a dinner there and Martha was serving. Lazarus was one of those resting down with him. Bethany was about 2 miles west of Jerusalem. He did come. Mary therefore having taken hold of a pound of ointment of very valuable pure nard, anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped dry his feet with her hair. In fact, the house was filled full with the fragrance of the ointment. In fact, Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, the one about to give him away, states, “For what reason was this ointment not sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?” In fact, he said this, not because he himself was anxious about the poor, but because he was a thief and, having the wallet, he was lifting the placings. Did Mary know what was going to take place – the end of Jesus’ life - within days? Had that knowledge so changed her that she followed his way and knew what best to do with her treasured possession, her all?
Therefore, Jesus said, “Leave her, so that she may keep it into the day of my burial preparation because the poor you always have with you. Me, in fact, you do not always have.”	.
“Me, in fact, you do not always have.” Jesus knows his death is very near. He knows that Mary was doing this economically-foolish thing (“300 denarii” was a year’s earnings for ordinary workers). Any criticism of her action would mask the truth – she gave her all to a man about to die – instead of her - as a guilty sinner. Many kill him. Some are eternally grateful to him and follow him.

Sinner Syvret

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