Quote for the Day
“’It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.’”
Today's Prayer
Father, today let us rest in your will, knowing that you have our lives in your hands.
John 12:1-11
John 12:1-11 (NIV)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, 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, 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 putting their faith in him.
Message
It was quite a day. Just days away from the biggest holiday of the year, the plot to kill Jesus is in full swing. Jesus is gathered with his disciples, family and friends, including Lazarus, the man he had just raised from the dead, to enjoy a dinner together. Mary, in an effort to honor Jesus, begins to wash his feet with an expensive perfume. Judas decides this is a poor decision and indignantly calls her out. Sounds like a typical family gathering in America today: ego, selfishness, and misunderstanding are the foundations of communication at these and many other gatherings.Let’s look closely at a few words of Jesus in response to Judas. Verse 7 says, “ ‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.’ ” I believe we need to be reminded that God does have it all planned. That’s right, he has it ALL planned. He has both the big things like keeping the universe in order and the little things like what happens in our lives today all fully planned out. What is our responsibility? We are to simply rest in His mighty will and power, allowing him to work in, through, and with us, just as Mary did when she washed his feet with the perfume. He has the plan and the power to take care of it all. This leaves no worries for us. If we look closely we see Mary as she allowed God to work through her not only accomplish the service she thought she was intending to do (washing Jesus feet) but also please the crowd by allowing the entire house to be filled with the fragrance. This one simple act would produce a cherished memory for all gathered, something that will be desperately needed in just a few days when they mourn the death of Jesus.