This week, we dive into the story of Jesus at Bethany, which is found in John 12:1-8. 

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  So they had dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at the table.

Jesus is here visiting his friends. He’s here visiting Lazarus, whom he just raised from the dead. I love the picture that this paints for us. Jesus reclines at the table with his friends. This is a side of Jesus that I love to see. We get to see that even though he is God in the flesh, he is still a man who wants to spend time with those he loves. 

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. 

Here, we see Jesus be recognized by Mary. She is pointing directly to his Identity as the Messiah. Though not the Messiah that was typically thought of by the Jew’s at the time. She is pointing to the fact that Jesus is a Sevant King to all. This imagery of Mary, wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair, is a foreshadowing of what Jesus would do at the last supper, when he washes the disciples’ feet. 

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 money bag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Mary is recognizing Jesus and how glorious he is. The nard she used was expensive. 300 Denarii was a year’s wage. That was how much money someone lived on for a year. This was an expensive way to show your love to Christ, yet she did it anyway. This was how she felt about our Messiah. Judas, who was a thief and ultimately betrayed Jesus, was upset at this idea. He did not want to give any money to the poor; he wanted to line his pockets. Judas did not see Jesus this way, which is why, ultimately, he was upset. 

Our main point for this week is God sent Jesus to save us. Jesus is our savior, and we need to recognize him as such. As we move into this easter season, I want to challenge us to view Jesus as Mary does. We know the story of what Jesus did; we have so much of his ministry right at our fingertips. However, Mary, who was a personal friend of Jesus, viewed him as the coming Messiah. Let us recognize each and every day that Jesus is the King, that he is worthy of our time, that he is worthy of our money, and that he is worthy. If we approach our relationship with Christ like Mary did, I believe each and every one of us would experience new depths and life 

Preparing for This Week

• Reflect on how Mary’s act of devotion challenges you to consider the depth of your own commitment. Spend time in personal prayer or Bible study this week to grow closer to Jesus.
• Your actions can inspire others. As you prepare for the week, consider ways to visibly demonstrate love and genuine care to kids during service.