John 12:1-19 — Mary Anoints Jesus, The Triumphal Entry
John 12:20-50 — Jesus’ Saving Message and the People’s Disbelief
John 13 — Jesus and his Last Passover
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
When Mary pours expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus, Judas raised a vocal objection, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” (John 12:5). We’ll get to Jesus’ response, but John’s observation is stunning. Here is one of THE 12 raising a protest. He’s one of the inner circle, one invited to all the meetings and discussions. John records, Judas’ objection was “not 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” (12:6). Talk about a crucial conversation that should have happened! To be fair, John is writing this after the fact and with 20:20 hindsight. Still, it sticks out as a testimony to how group dynamics can destroy an organization. Words not said to help a brother or sister.
The words that Judas didn’t care about the poor are rough. Jesus was constantly caring for the poor, the lame, the blind, the rich of this world who were poor in spirit. Lord help me to show your love to the least, the lost and the lonely of this age in this place and at this time. Let no one say of me in hindsight, “he didn’t care about the poor.”
Jesus’ response, “Leave her alone” (12:7) defuses the present situation and begins the discussion about his death and resurrection. We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact this interaction happens while Jesus is visiting Lazarus, “whom Jesus had raised from the dead” (12:4) as recorded in the previous chapter. This scene is a pivotal moment in the history of Jesus’ time on earth. Mark records the event a bit differently (Mark 14:3-11) with anonymity about who poured the perfume (and where), apparently this isn’t the important part of the story. Judas and Mary are not named in the other Gospel accounts, the significance of the event is captured by both Matthew and Mark. We read in Mark 14:10, “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.” This was the turning point for Judas. Whatever demon possessed him was now fully enraged and completely blinded this man Judas. Words fail me at this point. Is it possible for me to be that blinded? I pray for God’s guidance daily, for His will to be done in my life, not my own.
Before I look too closely in the mirror, I’m reminded it’s not about me, it’s all about Jesus. “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23). That’s the point of the story. Don’t let me get side-tracked with failure, look at the real story. “A voice came from heaven…for your benefit, not mine” (12:28,30). Thank you Lord for the voice, for speaking to all of us!
There are a hundred sermons in these two chapters and scores of books and writings. Praise Jesus for his amazing grace and thanks be to God for giving us these words to ponder. May they change our hearts daily.