Jesus Anointed at Bethany

John 12:1-4 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at 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.
 
QUITE a gift…quite an honor Mary offered. Mary’s attitude had changed a good deal since she had questioned why Jesus remained absent during Lazarus’ illness. But then Jesus came to her brother; Jesus came to Mary’s sister Martha, and Jesus came to Mary with his full life. Now it is time to ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. (Psalms 29:2)
    With thanksgiving and praise in her heart, Mary purchased a very expensive pint of perfume to anoint her Lord with honor and worship. In the perfume’s sweet, powerful, even overwhelming aroma is Mary’s love. She wants Jesus and all around her to know Jesus is worth far more than any price that is on that bottle of perfume.         
    Judas is the disciple who complains the perfume is wasted. To many his comment seems very practical. Jesus had fed many thousands with his compassionate miracles. Certainly he cared for the hungry! Yes, the perfume’s price could have been used for the poor; it could have been used for Mary’s own household. She could have bought food through the year for her family.
    Instead, she honored Jesus. Mary knew what to do about Jesus (see previous lesson) because she completely understood Jesus is life. Perhaps she knew because she had taken time on another day to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to his teachings. Luke 10:39 Martha had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. Jesus is the great Provider, the loving giver of himself, so the world can eat the Bread of Life.  
    How do we form Mary’s understanding into our lives? First it makes sense to sit at Jesus’ feet each day for some time to learn from him. We may then more faithfully respond to his life-giving resurrection with our own sacrificial offering. We will be willing to give our time to his work instead of being “too busy”. We will release our gifts to strengthen his church. Our love and our encouragement also become daily offerings to family, friends, neighbors, strangers and church family. To the broken and the least of these (Matthew 25:45) we sacrifice some things we want, so they can have something to eat or a place to safely sleep.
    Yes, that is resurrection living. Worship and honor Jesus. Share his resurrection gift. Give him to others who need his tender care.
 
Resurrection Truth: You can give life as Jesus has given to you.