Meanwhile, at Bethany

While the Pharisees stood around the temple in all their pre-Passover personally purified glory, discussing how to go about killing the Son of God, He was visiting dear friends in Bethany.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 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.  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 moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.  For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” John 12:1-8

It was fitting that Lazarus’ family would honor the Lord with a dinner. As the men reclined at table and Martha served, Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with precious perfume (spikenard). This was a special offering of worship. Her love and devotion was expressed by this submissive act. The monetary value of the spikenard was 300 denarii. That’s a year’s wages for a rural worker at the time. This was estimated by Judas, as quoted by John. John didn’t know at that time, but later learned the treasonous motive of Judas. At the time of this event, Judas was a disciple in good standing and apparently the treasurer of the group. Nobody suspected him of anything sinister. John’s retrospective comments indicate how much more the disciples learned about Judas in the days that would soon reveal Jesus’ reason for becoming man. Perhaps the others believed that night that Judas was really concerned about helping the poor and saw Mary’s gift as a waste. Phony do-goodism often camouflages evil intent. Sometimes, even from the phony do-gooder. Self-deception comes into play when we are indulging our old sin natures.

Jesus’ reply cut short Judas’ criticism. Judas had not the first clue of Mary’s devotion to Jesus, but our Lord knew exactly what it was about. Mary, more than all the disciples, realized Jesus’ time on earth was coming to an end. She had been listening when Jesus would tell them He had much to accomplish in a limited time. It was all about to become intense and accelerated. She knew this might be the last opportunity to honor Him in such a way. They (we) will always have needy people to help. Some of us may always be materially needy. Jesus was not being cynical, but stating a fact of life. Frankly, in this fallen world, there will never be enough money and resources to take care of all the physical needs of the poor. Mary had enough precious perfume that night, though, to pay worshipful respect to the Savior of the world. That’s what she chose to do with it.

What she didn’t lavish on Him that night, she could keep for His burial. Jesus said that quite matter-of-factly. That prophecy would become reality very soon.

When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,  because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. John 12:9-11

The Jewish leaders were driven in their determination to kill Jesus. They were also incurable sensation-seekers. They were curious to see Lazarus in his normal habitat, living as usual, though he had been dead. But there was now more to their motivation: the chief priests also intended to kill Lazarus! Think about it. Those religionists made it their mission to kill the Creator of all life, and also to kill one to whom He had just restored life. What breathtaking arrogance. What illogical objectives. Surely only Satan himself could inspire such a futile plan. Their reason for wanting Lazarus dead: his resuscitation had caused many of the people to believe in the power and authority of Jesus.

Clearly, the Jewish leadership was losing its grip on the common folk. The common folk were beginning to separate themselves from religion. Their religion was a system of empty ritual. Jesus was the giver of life, truth and freedom. Who wouldn’t want what He had to give? Religious tyrants, that’s who.

The devil’s children. (John 8:44)