John 12:1-11 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is John 12:1-11. I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
John 12:1-3 (NIV)
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
On verses 1-3: At Bethany, a small village just outside of Jerusalem to the southeast, Jesus is at a dinner given in his honor less than a week before Passover. At the dinner, Lazarus reclines, Martha serves, and Mary worships. To me this is a good picture of the church. It’s a place where you can rest like Lazarus, serve like Martha and worship like Mary.
Also, notice what happens when Mary pours the perfume on Jesus’ feet and wipes his feet with her hair: the fragrance of the perfume fills the whole house. Similarly, when you give your best to God in worship, loving Jesus with passion, giving to God generously and doing so with humility, it affects the environment around you. May your home, your family, and your relationships be filled with the fragrance of worship.
John 12:4-7 (NIV)
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”
6 He did not say this 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.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “[It was intended] that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.
On verses 4-7: Judas was all focused on money and dollar signs. But in defending Mary’s unique act of worship, Jesus shows that there are some things that are more precious than money, and some sacrifices so beautiful that you can’t put a price on them.
John 12:8 (NIV)
8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
On verse 8: As important as serving the poor is, Jesus honoured Mary for the way she capitalized on a rare opportunity: the opportunity to honour Jesus with what she had while he was still with them. One question I will often ask myself when deciding how to manage my time is: “What opportunity do I have today that I won’t have tomorrow?” I’ll then make decisions and use my time based on the answer to that question.
John 12:9-11 (NIV)
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,
11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
On verses 9-11: The chief priests wanted to kill not just Jesus but also Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. Likewise, Satan, the enemy of Jesus, will try to destroy everyone whose life points to Jesus. But praise God. Like Lazarus, you have the favour of God on your life. When you hang out with the one who is the resurrection and the life, you don’t need to fear death (John 11:25) or the enemy.
Lord Jesus, like Mary, please help me to recognize what special opportunities You have given me today. May I make the most of them for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
