We often want the Bible to be a book where everyone does the right things for the right reasons. After all, this is God’s word; shouldn’t the stories in the word of God be uplifting and positive? The fact is, God’s word is full of truth. One of the main truths in life and in the Bible is simply that men are an evil and wicked lot.
Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead. The family (Lazarus, Mary, and Martha) wanted to say thank you. So, they hosted a celebratory dinner at their home in Bethany to honor Jesus. The story then turns sideways. Mary anoints Jesus with an expensive perfume and uses her hair to dry His feet.
Judas Iscariot raises a fuss because the perfume could have provided more funds into the budget. (The budget he helped himself to). The Jewish people in the community heard Jesus was in town and poured in to see both Jesus and Lazarus. Many had begun to follow Jesus as the Messiah, while others simply wanted to get a peek at the guy that was brought back from the dead.
Finally, other Jews were acting as spies and reporting Jesus’ activities to the Sanhedrin, who now were plotting not only Jesus’ death, but also Lazarus’ death as well.
In the midst of all the fussing and plotting, Jesus stops and recognizes the kindness of His friend to anoint Him for His burial. The evilness of men had clearly become evident and as God sat among these people, only a very few were truly embracing the miracle that was Emmanuel–God with us.
In our day, little has changed. We rush through our busy lives and as we look around, there is a great deal of fussing, evil, and intrigue. Men are evil. Life has lost its value. Families have fallen into completely disarray.
Even though God’s word is literally one click away at all times, we have lost the ability to focus upon the grace and greatness of God and our Savior, Jesus. It is time to regain the passion of Mary, the only one in the room who showed her gratitude. Like Mary, we need to focus on Jesus and on what the Lord has done in our lives. If we will, the white noise of the bickering and intrigue will fade out and we will be able to listen to the leading of God’s Spirit. We can once again be grateful for all He has done.
God Bless You
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to 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[a] 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.
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.[b]” 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. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”
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 believing in him.
Walking With God 