John 12:1-11
Be Still: Lord, thank you for the gift of your Word in my life. Open my ears to hear what you have to say to me through this encounter today. Amen
Read: John 12:1-11
Encounter: Now I love a birthday. It has been said of me that I don’t have a birthDAY but a birthWEEK. When I was growing up, birthdays were extravagantly celebrated to show that person they were loved. Perhaps judged by some as wasteful, the act of celebrating or being celebrated has a long-lasting echo of love beyond the cost of the event.
In this passage, we encounter Mary celebrating her own act of love and deep affection for Jesus. In pouring costly oil over his feet, she is signalling that he is worthy of praise, adoration and love.
Earlier we saw Mary sitting at Jesus feet, learning from him, worshipping him with her time and attention. Here we encounter Mary worshipping him in a way others deemed to be wasteful. But Mary is making a prophetic statement. She is signposting people forward to Jesus's death and burial.
However, this beautiful extravagant moment of worship falls under the shadow of Judas’ criticism. Fuelled by greed, Judas criticises her actions, ‘virtue-signalling’ that the worth of the oil would better serve the poor. Judas the hypocrite knew that he was taking money from the 'giving pot' to use himself. Mary, unlike Judas, is authentically worshipping Jesus in her public and private action.
Apply: How does this encounter challenge your understanding of worship? Do you sometimes hold back from expressing your love for God for fear of appearing excessive? Or maybe Judas’ hypocrisy is holding a misty mirror to your own heart. Are you quick to show your love for Jesus publicly but then privately ‘take from the giving pot’? No, not stealing from the poor, but perhaps gossip, or putting self-interest first, or judging others before yourself. Take a moment to reflect on your own motivations when you worship God or serve others. Are you driven by genuine love and desire to honour God, or are there underlying desires for recognition?
Devote: Lord Jesus, help me to see you as Mary did, as someone worthy of my deepest love and devotion. May I be willing to pour out my heart and life to you, without reservation, today and always.