John 12:1-11 (NRSV)
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Chapter 12Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. Verse 2There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Verse 3Mary 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. Verse 4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, Verse 5"Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" Verse 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.) Verse 7Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. Verse 8You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." Verse 9When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. Verse 10So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, Verse 11since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
Devotion
Mary of Bethany showed such devotion to Jesus as her brother, Lazarus, sat with him at the table that it is still the talk of the town. The extravagance and intimacy of her anointing and wiping his feet with her hair scandalized more than Judas. Between this scene and the raising of Lazarus from the dead, the whole Jewish community was abuzz. It sealed Jesus’ fate among the chief priests. Yet this scene is not chiefly about intimacy or favoritism, but death and embalming. Mary prepares Jesus for burial and proclaims to those who see the destiny of the Lord. Were it not for the foreshadowing of Lazarus’ raising, this proclamation would be absolutely bleak. Yet love will finally win out.
Prayer
Our God, as Mary exposed her love for you, so let us show our love through others. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.