Scripture to Read: John 12:1–19
In John 12:1–19, God led John to give us another perspective on Christ’s triumphal entry. Before the day of His triumphal entry, we find Jesus in the house of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (the same Lazarus Jesus raised from the dead in John 11). In John 12, Mary (Martha and Lazarus’ sister) took an expensive perfume bottle and anointed Jesus’ feet, then wiped His feet with her hair. Washing a guest’s feet was a cultural norm in the day of Christ, but only the lowliest servant was the foot washer. Mary humbled herself and took the foot washer’s role, but instead of using water, Mary used perfume, which was worth an entire year’s wage for an ordinary man of that day. Mary’s humble action angered Judas because Judas was a thief, as we read in John 12:6. Judas even tried to sound righteous by saying that the perfume could have been sold and the money could have been used to help the poor. Jesus rebuked Judas and told him to leave Mary alone because what Mary had done was in preparation for Jesus’ burial. Jesus knew His death was just a few days away, so He mentioned His burial. Jesus also reminded Judas that the poor would always be there even after He was gone. We must guard our hearts and be sure the works we do for our Lord are as genuine and humble as Mary’s. We must guard against hypocrisy and worship our Lord in spirit and truth. Our Lord deserves our best, for we glorify Him when we give our best.
Challenge & Application
What did our Lord teach you today about offering your best to Him every day in all you do and say?
How are you living your life and using the gifts, talents, and resources God has given you to honor our Lord Jesus Christ?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!