John_12

Scripture:  John 12:3-5  Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” Observation-What does it say?  A feast is prepared for Jesus, as a way of celebrating the resurrection of Lazarus.  As Jesus’ time before his ultimate sacrifice is drawing close, he spends time with those who are close to him, as if he is saying goodbye.  It is in this time we see some contrasting behaviors towards Jesus, and some slight modifications of behavior.  Martha, who in Luke 10 was complaining about her sister’s behavior, is still serving, but has dropped the complaining.  There is also the contrasting behaviors of Mary and Judas.  “ Mary gave a token of love to Christ, who had given real tokens of his love to her and her family. God's Anointed should be our Anointed. Has God poured on him the oil of gladness above his fellows, let us pour on him the ointment of our best affections.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)  Judas was still looking after his own interests. Understanding-What does it mean?  There was a clothing company that put out a line of comedic t-shirts a few years ago that really struck a chord with me.  They had sayings like, “World’s Okayist Dad!” and “Medium speed, Some drag.”  While they were most definitely celebrating mediocrity, they may have been one of the more truthful line of shirts you would ever see anyone wear.  It was a breath of fresh air to see a shirt that wouldn’t make the wearer try to live up to an arbitrary and impossible to meet standard like “World’s greatest dad!”  For one thing, there isn’t enough data to prove that anyone wearing that shirt really is that great.  Unfortunately, sometimes this is also the attitude I want to carry into my worship of God.  I want to bring forth a mediocre effort and have it be good enough for God.  But God doesn’t just want part of us.  He wants all of us.  We learn this very early on, with the story of Cain and Abel.  Cain offered a mediocre sacrifice and God told him it wasn’t good enough.  Cain, like Judas, was trying to hold the best back for himself.  But, God wasn’t having it with either.   Mary, though, poured out her all on Jesus.  In return, God lavished His love on her.  God also tells us that we can give him our everything because He will make our burden light.  Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Even in times where the world seems to make it impossible to give everything to Him, God makes a way.
Life Application:  Jesus, help me to let go of the sin I am holding onto (Hebrews 12:1-3), help me to leave my anxiety at your feet (Philippians 4:6), help me to fix me eyes on you.  I want your best for me, and I know I can’t hold anything back, or give you my “Okayist” gift.  

 

-Tyler Galloway