MARK 14:1-21 THE POWER OF EMOTIONS As the message Mark wrote unfolds the climatic last days of our Lord's public life and ministry, I was impressed with the variety of emotions that rose to the surface from different people and groups of people. The deep hatred of the chief priests and scribes seems to have become so polarized because the teaching of Jesus and conversations He had with them personally, exposed the fact their conduct was not consistent with their ideals. What they thought was hidden, was known, and if the Lord Jesus was truly God, they recognized they were condemned before Him. The greatness of a person is not only realized by their friends but also by those who oppose him. Those who are against us sometimes give the best reference as to what is right about us and our work. Fear was also in the hearts of those who opposed the Lord Jesus. They were afraid of the people around. If they were to carry out their crafty treachery and put Jesus to death, they feared the people who had been blessed by Him, would riot. The fear of doing evil is a good thing. Fearing the consequences of an action is a wise thing. There was an evil gladness in these men when Judas came to them giving them an opportunity of acting with stealth. We do have power over our emotions and can bring them into captivity when we control our thinking. Unrestrained emotions lead to acts of passion that can ruin one's life in a very short time. How necessary it is that we commit ourselves to emulating the meekness and lowliness of Christ.
The convenient betrayal by Judas reveals the impact of covetousness on one's own will. Paul said, "I had not known sin except the law said, 'Thou shalt not covet.'" Coveting finances makes fraud very possible, but certainly not necessary. Covetousness as an emotion strikes right at the morality of a person. If we are not careful, we can make covetousness out to be "just good business." Right on the back of coveting money, a position or a place of prominence, comes the emotion of treachery. That crafty emotion can quickly make one callous to what we know to be right, to the extent we override the work of our conscience and just wait for an opportunity to carry out some nefarious plan. Judas' convenient betrayal emphasizes how quickly a covetous thought can turn into a soul-damning action.
As the disciples watched the devotional actions of the woman pouring the precious ointment on the head of Jesus, there was a resentful anger that arose in them. It appeared they were acting in what they would consider a righteous indignation. In truth it was a self-righteous ignorance of which the Lord quickly made them aware. It is not right for us to make an uninformed appraisal of another person's actions for the Lord. Those same men experienced later a deep sadness when the Lord Jesus announced that "one of you shall betray Me." How could that happen? Who would do such a thing? By now they had learned a lot more about themselves and were wondering about what they had considered an impossibility.
Whenever we hear of some serious act of betrayal or disloyalty on the part of another brother or sister, we are saddened. The wise person will stop to reflect on themselves in that time of sadness and pray that God will strengthen us to be kept from temptation and delivered from evil. Fear and sorrow often are joined together when we hear of the treachery of others and fearfully consider that it could be me who would do such a thing apart from the grace of God. A possible but wrong action is to disassociate ourselves from one taking a wrong course in life when they need our help whether they know it or not. I cannot remove myself from commitment to my Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what other people may say or do. I do experience anger, sadness and fear when I observe those I have been associated with, turn away deliberately and follow a path I know seems to them to be right because it appeals to them but will leave them spiritually dry.
In my mind's eye I watch Mary carrying with firm hands a box she had been saving for a special reason. Because of her close fellowship with the Lord in the past, she had heard and believed what He said, and with holy understanding, she broke the alabaster box. The precious ointment from within the box poured down over the head of the Lord onto His body, His clothes and the scent of it that permeated the room, was a testimony to the reverential love she had for the Lord. This may have been an impulsive act but not done on the spur-of-the-moment. I personally think she had been planning this beforehand. She wanted her devotion to Him to be known by Him, not just to others who would know that if she anointed His body after He was dead. Her devotion was a deep lively thing that was expressed in this emotional outpouring of fellowship, impulsive love and reverence.
We don't act always because of an emotional, momentary desire, but the depths of a person's interest in the things of God, in God Himself or in God's will, does express itself in emotional ways at times. The remembrance gathering of the Lord's people often produces fresh thoughts of worship and praise that are not repetitious but come from spontaneous thoughts implanted by the Holy Spirit when one has been enjoying God and His Word.
Expressions of emotion are not always bad, nor are they always good. Quite often they begin in the soul as a result of taking in spiritual food We have been enjoying, and by meditation, truth has come alive. In our thoughts emotions they are born and by them our faith thrives.
Unchecked emotions that are without spiritual content seem to be unrestrained. The out-of-control emotional event is not by the Spirit constrained. They may manifest themselves from unholy boldness to fear. It is important that by what is emotionally expressed, the characteristics of God do bear.
Emotions are like wild horses that have to be guided by rein and bridle. If uncontrolled, they become a laughingstock expressed by one who is idle. Holy emotions like reverence and harmony are something to be desired. Close fellowship like Mary had, honors God and many others inspires.
True faith is never out of control, but it is not afraid of impossibilities. When expressed in actions and words formed within opportunities of praise, we seize - An impulsive act the Holy Spirit generates has God's glory as its real objective. The emotional expressions one gives to the Lord are by Him truly accepted.
Understanding love when it is either given or received - Is not a complicated emotion when one on Christ has believed. It may express itself in an act of compassionate help which others have ignored. The emotional response of love is not limited by calculated reason others may implore.
"Father, I know I don't "emote" very much by my nature, but Thou knowest how I feel about Thy people, Thy work and Thyself. Let that which is beneficial for purposes approved by Thee, come from the emotional part of me to bless others I pray. Keep me from foolish displays of emotion I pray. Be honored by any expression from me that will exalt the Lord Jesus and make Thy name to be extolled I pray. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."