THE END IS NIGH: Amid many unanswered questions, everything in this passage makes it clear that Jesus will be gone soon.
- John 12:1-11.
- Some of the unanswered questions:
a. Why anoint six days early?
b. Why did no one notice that Judas was stealing?
c. How ridiculous is it to think that killing Lazarus is a good response to the situation?
d. What’s the significance (if any) of her wiping his feet with her hair?
e. Why anoint His feet rather than His head?
f. What’s the significance of the mention that the house was filled with the fragrance? (Especially in light of OT Temple passages.)
- Amid all those unanswered questions, John is making it clear that this is the beginning of the end.
- Chapter 11 saw the resurrection of Lazarus sharpen the religious leaders’ opposition to Jesus. They become fully invested in the necessity of killing off Jesus (11:48-50).
- And then, we start chapter 12 with a story combining a foreshadowing of Jesus’ death along with an unexpected betrayal from within His inner circle. The sharks are circling. The noose is tightening.
- In the midst of all that, we have a stark contrast put before us of two people: Mary and Judas.
MARY AND JUDAS: Mary was sold out to Jesus; Judas was a sell-out to Jesus.
- John 12:1-8.
- The contrast is clear: Mary was sold out to Jesus; Judas was a sell-out to Jesus.
1. Mary.
a. Extravagance.
- Mary is here again allowing practical considerations to take a back seat.
- She famously does this in the passage where Martha complains that she’s not getting any help, only to have Jesus defend what Mary is doing.
- I myself am so often logical and reasonable in my actions. Mary here pushes people like me past what’s normal and comfortable. What Mary gives costs an extravagant amount. What Mary does is an extravagant act.
b. Humility.
- Mary shows great humility here in bowing at Jesus’ feet and anointing His feet.
2. Judas.
a. Thief.
- Judas’ words indicate that he is completely clueless about why Mary is doing what she’s doing. All he sees is the waste and what he could have done with those funds instead.
- Judas used Jesus for what he could get out of Him. When Jesus wouldn’t do what he wanted he decided to take what he could get out of the situation.
- Was Judas always a thief or did he get there through disillusionment?
- Was his focus on disappointment that Jesus didn’t turn out to be who he thought he would be?
- Is Judas just taking something for his “wasted time”?
b. Justifier.
- Judas finds what sounds like a pretty decent excuse for what he’s doing: couldn’t this money have been put to better use.
- It’s a reminder to us that sometimes our excuses sound pretty reasonable.
WHAT IS OUR MENTALITY: What can I give or what can I get?
- John 12:1-8.
- How much is He worth vs. how much is He worthy of?
- Break the bank vs. break the bottle.
- What can I give?
- The desire to give greatly comes from a saved-by-grace place.
- It flows from the well of gratitude and thanksgiving.
- It’s not caused by duty, but rather joy.
- What can I get?
- I come to God for healing or to be fixed or to ease my conscience.
- I’m only interested in what I can receive from Him.
- I don’t want to grow in my faith. I don’t want to give to the Kingdom. I don’t want to sacrifice.
- This is a common approach to faith these days.
- A manifestation of this mentality: church shopping. (I want a church that fulfills my needs.)
A CHALLENGE QUESTION: Where can I give a little more than is comfortable?
- Possibilities:
a. Money.
b. Time.
c. Person further out there than I usually mess with.
d. Bigger challenge than I usually take on.
e. Worship.
- Why do that? Because He’s worthy.
