Matthew 26:6-16 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Troublers of the good.

Jesus and his apostles were entertained at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper. Simon probably had once been a leper, and was miraculously healed by Jesus (see Matthew 11:5 ), and became a disciple of the great Physician. Bishop Newcome has admirably harmonized the accounts of the anointing at Bethany given by the evangelists Matthew, Mark, and John. This Simon prepared a supper, to which he invited Lazarus, his neighbour if not also his relative, who by the same glorious Worker had been raised from the dead. The sisters of Lazarus also were present ( John 12:2 , John 12:3 ).

I. MARY FIGURES IN THIS HISTORY AS A BEAUTIFUL TYPE OF GOODNESS .

1 . In her love to Christ.

2 . In the expression of that love.

"Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so Divine,

Demands my life, my soul, my all."

3 . In the influence of that love.

(a) In his prescience of the wide notoriety of this action of Mary.

(b) In the providence which ensured it.

(c) In the inspiration which moved the evangelists to record it.

II. YET SHE ENCOUNTERED TROUBLERS EVEN IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH .

1 . Foremost amongst these was Judas Iscariot.

2 . With Iscariot were others who came under his evil influence.