John 12:1-11
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, p but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. [1]
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How do we show our love for Jesus? Are our expressions of praise and honor worthy of the blessings He has shown us?
Jesus is at a dinner being held in his honor at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. This is a big deal and probably a very big gathering. They wanted to honor Jesus no doubt for raising Lazarus from the dead.
Put yourself in the shoes of Mary and Martha. We saw in last chapter how grieved they were at Lazarus’ death. Now imagine their joy. No wonder they wanted to through a banquet in Jesus’ honor. No wonder Mary wanted to honor him further by pouring out expensive perfume on his feet. What is the worth of perfume compared to the worth of her brother’s life?
Jesus rejects Judas’ attempt to set up a dichotomy between helping the poor and honoring Jesus. There are times when it is most important and appropriate to honor Jesus. But this is not to reject the importance of serving the poor. The two are not at odds.
So Jesus accepts Mary’s display of thanksgiving and honor, and He commends her for doing it. What would He say about the way I show Him my thanksgiving, my worship, my praise? Is it fitting for the blessings that He has filled my life with? Of course the answer is no. How can we ever appropriately praise God for the gifts of life, family, salvation and eternity? But even still, what does the way I show God thanksgiving say about the value I place on His gifts? My praise, my worship, my offerings, my time.
My prayer today is one of thanksgiving once again. But I am also praying that God lead me to appropriately express my thanksgiving and praise for his countless gifts.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
[1] The New International Version. 2011 (Jn 12:1–11). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.