...gratitude and love...

“1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for Jesus. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with Jesus. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii 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 kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me’” John 12:1-8.

Jesus is in Bethany at the house of Lazarus because He is moving towards Jerusalem, knowing His time to give Himself on the Cross is nearing, and Bethany is close to Jerusalem. Palm Sunday is just a week away. Imagine you are Judas, watching the scene. It’s been quite a time the last week or two, because Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead, and there’s been a huge fuss about that – some thinking that Jesus can do no wrong and others that he’s the most dangerous man on the planet.

And suddenly this woman does something a bit crazy, letting down her hair, soaking it in nard, a thick ointment filled with perfume, to anoint the feet of Jesus. She wants to show her gratitude and love for Jesus who just raised Lazarus from the dead! But not Judas who objects with a disingenuous appeal for the care of the poor instead of Jesus. But the problem with Judas’ objection is that Mary has seen something Judas hadn’t seen, something that Judas is just now realizing that he got it all wrong! Judas is embarrassed and angered, no doubt! 

But not only Judas, but all of us need to learn to see that this kind of love and attention and gratitude to Jesus is exactly what living with Jesus and his story is all about. Jesus deserves the exact opposite of crucifixion! 

So today consider giving Jesus what Mary gave to Him — your profound gratitude and love. Pray to the Lord that He helps you be humble enough to understand what His death was all about. Such understanding is the door to your gratitude and love of Jesus Christ!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,

have mercy on me a sinner!