Key Verse: "Leave
her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this
perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but
you will not always have Me."
John 12:7-8
We've been at
this home before. The first time that we were here, Martha was complaining
because her sister Mary wasn't helping. She doesn't seem to mind serving this time.
Then, we were here after Lazarus died and Jesus showed up to bring him back to
life. There are extra people milling about this time to gaze at Lazarus, the
amazing spectacle, brought back to life!
Finally,
there is Mary, we find her where she always wants to be, at Jesus feet. At our
first visit, she sat at His feet to learn. The second time, she fell at His
feet to worship and grieve. Today, she is at His feet to give thanks to her
gracious Lord for all He has done for her family, and for her. And, now, in gratitude she is giving back to Him.
He has all of their hearts and lives, but not their gifts or personalities. Martha is still the hostess. Mary is still the devoted. And they accept each other.
He has all of their hearts and lives, but not their gifts or personalities. Martha is still the hostess. Mary is still the devoted.
If only the
occasion were not marred by the critics. There are the rulers, who, as usual,
fear losing their influence over the people. Now, however, for the first time,
we notice a new critic from within. One of Jesus’ own circle of closest friends
is stepping aside to complain and we are just now noticing.
We need to
remember that John wrote his gospel many years after all of these events took
place. It is probably in hindsight that the pieces of Judas' story were put
together and the disciples finally saw who he truly was. In truth, at the time,
Judas must have come across as a very trustworthy person. After all, he had
been entrusted with the money for the whole group. Only later it was discovered
that he was a thief. It was probably only Jesus who knew the truth about Judas
all along, yet he left it alone. Why hadn't Jesus done something about Judas
before now? Why had He allowed a thief to remain in their midst? Who can truly
know the heart of God for the entire answer? I'm sure that redemption and an
opportunity for repentance was a large part of it. No one would ever be able to
say that Judas hadn't had a chance to be changed and redeemed by Jesus.
We also see
in Judas' complaint how he could use Jesus’ own language to sound pious and
upright. "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the
poor?" (John 12:5) After all, Jesus cared for the poor and shunned earthly
wealth. Why He had told one would be follower that He didn't even have a place
to lay His head! (Luke
9:58) How in the world could Jesus approve of such lavish waste!
Yet, when we
review Jewish history, we see God Himself not only approving, but asking for
extravagant generosity for His sake by His people. In the building of the
tabernacle, and Solomon's temple and the temple after the exile, God calls His
people to be generous in their giving toward Him. "God loves a cheerful
giver." (2
Cor. 9:7B) Jesus did not consider Mary's gift a waste. In fact, He honored
it by assuring that it would be told wherever the gospel was shared.
Think of your
offering for a moment. How often do you give to receive something in return? You
give to help the church pay its bills so that you will be comfortable in
worship. You may give to receive a blessing from the Lord. There are good
reasons to give, but what if, after the collection, the usher set the plate on
fire to honor God. Would you be appalled at the waste, or could you let it go
for His glory? Sometimes, that's the kind of glory God asks for and that's the
glory that Mary honored Him with today.
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