RE: Thursday, May 21

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0QG3rhbIO4


-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Edwards <swe@edwa.info>
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2020 10:36 PM
To: Steve Edwards <swe@edwa.info>
Subject: Thursday, May 21

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020


"Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint 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.

"But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 'Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.' 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.

"'Leave her alone,' Jesus replied. 'It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.'" (John 12:1-8)


In this passage, we read of Mary's devotion and dedication to Jesus -- and Judas Iscariot's rejection of her generosity and sacrifice. We can take several lessons away from both sides of this exchange.

Mary's devotion to Jesus stemmed from a close, personal relationship. Aside from His disciples and His own family, it appears that Jesus showed among His strongest human bonds for Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Mary gives up this expensive perfume to anoint Jesus, which He highlights as preparation for His burial. From this point in John, His Passion lies only about a week away.

Judas Iscariot quickly notes that the perfume would have been worth approximately a year's wages: perhaps $25,000 in today's terms. While he feigns concern for the extravagance, his judgmental tone ultimately brings up the question: Does Jesus deserve this tremendous outpouring of a love offering? If Mary had kept from purchasing the nard and instead had contributed to the communal fund, Judas might have benefited: "... He was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put in it." (John 12:6)

In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), Jesus paints the picture of workers hired at different times. The workers represent believers, welcomed into the Kingdom of God through the precious blood of Christ. Those workers hired earlier become resentful of those who come later, complaining that the "last" unfairly received the same as the "first."

Whenever we question generosity and graciousness, we ultimately are complaining of God's sovereignty. The unparalleled grace and provision of God makes any generosity possible. We express our gratitude for God's abundant gifts through our generosity; this response comes from a heart of love. Mary demonstrates that beautiful love of self-sacrifice and generosity, whereas Judas Iscariot displays the avariciousness of pride and judgmental thinking.


Lord God, thank You for Your abundant provision in our lives. Thank You for making it possible to celebrate You through generosity. Give us hearts of humility so that we would properly esteem You and then sacrifice rightly in accordance with Your love for us. We surrender our lives and checkbooks to You today. In Jesus's Name, amen.


"Alabaster Box" by CeCe Winans

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