The Passover commemorated the time when God released Israel from slavery in Egypt. The angel of death passed over the land, but the Israelites were protected by the blood of a sacrificed lamb. In the same way Jesus is our Passover Lamb. He protects us from the wrath of God, and so the day of Judgement instead of bringing death brings freedom.
The religious leaders were still out to get Jesus, but wanted to avoid the Passover for feelings would be running high. As we know, this is precisely the time when in the end Jesus was taken captive and killed. Men are not in control of events, despite all their planning and scheming.
Jesus was at the house of Simon the Leper, probably someone who had been healed of leprosy by Jesus. We know from John 12 that the woman who came and anointed Jesus was Mary, the sister of Lazarus. Some saw this as a waste of money, saying it could have been given to the poor, so giving a form of piousness to their criticisms. When people criticise others they will always add an element of self-righteousness. We know from John's account that one of those who was complaining was Judas Iscariot. He stole from the disciples funds and, of course, was about to betray Jesus. People's criticisms are often an attempt to cover-up their own shortcomings.
Jesus responds by commending the woman and her actions. Although she probably did not appreciate the full import of her actions, Jesus knew she was preparing Him for burial. When we act out of a simple love for Jesus our actions will often be more profound than those based on a deep analysis of the situation.
Judas then took the fateful decision to betray Jesus. While he was trying to deceive others, he was also deceived himself.
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