John Week 22

John 12:1-11

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

• Jesus went to Bethany to see Lazarus, Mary, and Martha
• Mary annoited Jesus feet with Oil
• Judas questioned why the oil wasn't sold to serve the poor.
• We are not always in the presence of Jesus

When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

• The crowd came to see Jesus and the resurrected Lazarus
• the chief priest wants to put Lazarus to death because he is causing belief

So what is significant of this dinner being 6 days before Passover?

• We are 6 days from the Last Supper
• We are 7 days from Good Friday
• We are 9 days from Easter

Mary is sharing her gratitude to Jesus

• Doesn't anyone remember what Mary's state of mind was like when Jesus showed up?
• Distraught and upset
• Mary offers a sacrifice to Jesus with her wage, with the oil
• Its a massive offering 
• She offers and sits in the presence of Jesus
• How often do you offer something up to Jesus?
• How often do you sit in his presence?

We are to be like Mary here

• we offer up what is value to us and sit in his presence
• What is valuable to us is often our idols, like Time, Netflix, Video Games, friends, sport, etc
• to be like Mary we need trade these with sitting at his feet

How do we do this?

• take some time that you would you use for one of these idols, intentionally not just random time
• Sit in quiet and inviting Jesus through prayer
• Offer the time to him during prayer
• Give Thanksgiving to him
• Read scripture to get to know him
• Sit in silence
• Make it a regular thing

Family Questions

1. Do you show gratitude to Jesus?
2. What are you some new ways you can show your gratitude?
3. What is your plan? What time are you trade for time with Jesus?