Scripture: Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
John 12:1-11 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Yesterday’s Daily Focus concludes the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and the ensuing fallout with the Pharisees. John tells us that many believe (implying that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah), but some loyal to the Pharisees hurry to report all that happened. Panicking over Jesus’ growing following of Jews and how it could lead to Rome repressing this seeming revolution, they are most concerned about losing their position of leadership and their status as a nation. So the high priest, Caiaphas, silences his colleagues and argues that one man should die rather than a nation perish. This secret meeting sets in motion a plan to execute Jesus. But Jesus still has other work to do before fulfilling his mission in Jerusalem, so he retreats to Ephraim near the wilderness region.
Today’s story marks Jesus’ return to Martha and Mary’s house in Bethany six days before Passover. The time for fulfillment of his ministry is near, so Jesus will no longer retreat from danger but will receive his friends’ and disciples’ care and assistance. And there’s no better place to prepare for his soon sacrificial death than with the loving family of Lazarus, who, a few months earlier, he raised from the dead. Excited by his return, the three host a dinner party for Jesus. As the celebration begins, Mary, whether or not cognizant of the significance of her actions, applies a pound of expensive ointment to Jesus’ feet (a year’s wages) and wipes them with her tears (a sign of gratitude and devotion).
Judas, who sought his welfare over that of others (as evidenced by pilfering from the disciples’ purse), disingenuously expresses his disapproval under the guise that Mary could have sold the nard and given the proceeds to the poor. While Jesus refrains from exposing Judas’ hypocrisy, he admonishes Judas to leave her alone. Jesus then explains that Mary will need the remainder of the nard for the day of his burial, and there will always be opportunities to serve the poor, but his time is running out.
John then reports that a large crowd of Jews who hear of Jesus’ return to Lazarus’ house converge on this small community to see Jesus and Lazarus (the walking billboard of Jesus’ Messianic powers). So the chief priests also scheme to kill Lazarus to destroy all evidence and squelch the growing number of Jesus’ followers.
Of note: The guests would gather around a low-profile table and recline on their side with one arm and their side propped on a cushion while eating with the other arm. Their legs would face outward from the table. Thus, Mary could easily slip around guests and anoint Jesus’ feet without disrupting those beside him.
Takeaway: This story starkly contrasts those who are self-seeking and filled with anger with those who are self-giving and filled with gratitude. Judas and the chief priests’ focus is on what they deem best for them. Judas is avarice for money, while the chief priests are covetous of power. Ironically, their paths will soon cross, leading to accommodating the other. While they will initially succeed, Judas will commit suicide in despair, and those of the chief priests who live long enough will witness Rome’s juggernaut decimate Israel and raze Jerusalem (66-70 CE). But of most immediate distress, Israel’s leaders will discover the Jesus movement has just begun with his death and resurrection—and it is unstoppable!
Meanwhile, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus’ hospitality and Mary’s selfless care for Jesus bring glory to the Father and Son and draw a crowd of witnesses. Even if there were any concern for their well-being by associating with Jesus, their love for their Lord and Savior would have overcome their fears. Indeed, Mary’s extravagant expression of love and gratitude acts as a seismic wave signaling the earthquake that will soon erupt when Jesus expresses his unfathomable love for God’s children by bearing our sins in his body and breathing his last.
Our takeaway? You may have connected the dots already. Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). In this first epistle, John further explains those consumed by fear anticipate punishment (v.19). This may seem simplistic, but consider our fear of life-threatening events, whether stemming from outside forces or disease within our bodies. Beyond our initial reaction (a natural and healthy response to ensure self-preservation), if we park in our fear, we might want to reflect on whether, in these moments, we trust in God’s goodness and love for us or whether we see him as the God who makes us eat spinach, who punishes us when we get it wrong. Undoubtedly, God disciplines those he loves to prepare them for eternity with him (Hebrews 12:5-11), but this is not punishment. He disciplines out of love for our eternal well-being.
Know that I am preaching to myself—one who can quickly succumb to fear. That said, we would all benefit from practicing selfless love toward the One with whom we will spend eternity. So what’s the first step? When overwhelmed with the present and fearful of the future, reflect on God’s goodness and “perfect” love for us. This process of renewing our minds overcomes our fears and inspires us to express our love toward him (as did Mary). And, similar to Mary, when we direct our affections toward the One who gave his all for us, his Holy Spirit will inspire and guide us to love others sacrificially. When we do, even if our circumstances remain unchanged, his supernatural peace and joy will sustain and empower us to leap over one of life’s biggest hurdles: fear.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you and your Son for giving your all for us. And we thank you for Mary’s example of selfless love for your Son. We confess, though, that in our modern society of comfort, we struggle to sacrificial love you and our neighbor. So would you please help us reflect more on your goodness and “perfect” love for us so it might cast out our fears and flow through us to others? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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