The God of Love and Gratitude
John 12:1-8
Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, home of Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Lazarus and his sisters hosted a dinner for him. Martha served and Lazarus was among those who joined him at the table. 3 Then Mary took an extraordinary amount, almost three-quarters of a pound,[a] of very expensive perfume made of pure nard. She anointed Jesus’ feet with it, then wiped his feet dry with her hair. The house was filled with the aroma of the perfume. 4 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), complained, 5 “This perfume was worth a year’s wages![b] Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?” (6 He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would take what was in it.)
7 Then Jesus said, “Leave her alone. This perfume was to be used in preparation for my burial, and this is how she has used it. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you won’t always have me.”
Hello NewDay Friends!
This week of Lent, we will we reading from John 12:1-8. It is a tender scene, with Jesus and his close friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Some scholars believe John's account is connected to the other Gospel accounts, and there are overlapping details present in each of the stories.
A few things about this story in particular have been staying with me this week, as I prepare and pray. First, this story is about gratitude, love and worship. Each person in this story was also spending time with Jesus in important ways, that seem to indicate familiar ways that they were used to.
Big news too- Lazarus had been raised from the dead! Everyone was talking about it. I don't know about you, but that would definitely be cause for a dinner party.
It is also a short time later that Jesus would be arrested, killed and not be with them in the ways they were used to. I can imagine, his friends probably didn't believe Him (or want to) when He told them what was going to happen. They were enjoying the moment with Him.
Mary's actions however, point to what was about to happen, and Jesus comments on it in John's Gospel.
This account is important for us in this season of Lent, as we prepare for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Our love for Jesus and how we show Him our love matters, and as to a lot of relationships, sometimes we take those we love for granted. This scene is a reminder to us to spend time with Jesus, tell him how much we love Him, show Him and serve Him in ways we are gifted and compelled, just as these 3 siblings do.
I am praying for us all, as a church body, that we keep company with Jesus especially in Lent, spend time with Him, take extra time to express how much we love Him, and find ways to express our gratitude in whatever ways we can- because of what He has done.
See you this Sunday, and hopefully with a crock pot of Chili for the annual Chili Cook Off!
In Christ, Pastor Kari
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