Today’s Gospel Reading is John 12:1-11. Those of us who are familiar with this part of the story have heard about the exchange of words between Jesus and Judas when Mary used the costly perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet. Judas thought it was a waste to spend the perfume on Jesus when it could have been sold for three days of wages. Motive is everything for God, if you would sell it so you could do something good for the poor Jesus probably wouldn’t mind – but if you were a thief, like Judas was, you wouldn’t be interested in helping the poor or giving the money to someone else. You would keep it for your own good. But I think there is more to this story than just this part about money.
Jesus knew he was on his way to his final passover meal that he would celebrate with his disciples. First, he had another stop to make. Just six days prior to the Passover Jesus stops to have dinner with a previously dead man and his sisters. How significant is this? If you aren’t familiar with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, you might not understand the full significance of this meal. It isn’t only about money, it’s about remembering a promise to be raised from earthly death. You see there is a previous encounter with the same people who were at this particular dinner in Lazarus’ home. It’ a story about Mary and Martha calling Jesus to come to their home because Lazarus was ill and their anger over his delay in coming to minister to their brother and the joy experienced when Jesus did arrive and call Lazarus out of his tomb. You can read the entire story in John 11. The cost of the perfume was nothing compared to what Jesus had done for this family – restore life in body and spirit to them. The faith these women had in Jesus’ ministry and the love they had for their brother is remarkable!
The story about this particular dinner has a lesson for us about our relationships here on earth and our relationship with Jesus. Mary, Martha and Lazarus honor Jesus with a dinner and anoint his feet, the feet that would be walking a remarkable and purposeful path in the coming days. Judas is at both dinners, but his heart is not fixed on honoring Jesus, his heart is torn.
Where are our hearts today? Are they torn in a struggle between two worlds and two ideals? Or are they fixed on loving relationships and hope in God’s promises. Are we spiritually dead and even in the presence of Jesus, still lost? The struggle isn’t easy in our own strength, but with Jesus and the fullness of the Holy Spirit we can fix not only our eyes on Jesus, but our hearts and minds as well.
Let us pray.
Dear Lord, thank you for this story in Scripture. We confess that there are times we have struggled with our faith, we accept that your timing in our lives is perfect and that even though we are not perfect, we are loved and called to be witnesses of your love and saving grace. Please help us to keep our eyes, ears, hearts and minds focused on you, not only this week, but each day of our lives. That we may always honor you in word and deed. AMEN
