Day 1083: The fragrance of Christ - John 11 vs 55 – 12 vs 11

55-56 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him. 15:1-2 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. 3 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.

4-5 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 (a day's wage for a labourer) and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the money bag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7-8 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.”

9-11 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. John 11:55 – 12:11 English Standard Version

At the end of the last post we saw how the leaders of Israel made plans to put Jesus to death, and so He 'no longer walked openly among the Jews'. He went instead to a region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and stayed there with the disciples. Verses 55-56 describe the main topic of conversation in Jerusalem as the Passover feast drew nearer. Would Jesus dare to come to the feast with the price on His head? What was the response of Jesus? (Chapter 15 vs 1)

John told us earlier that Bethany was only about 2 miles from Jerusalem. Now, he mentions that it was the place where Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead - and that Jesus willingly returned there. Jesus was not afraid of man. The reason He'd left Jerusalem was because his time had not yet come. (John 7:6) What was the outcome of Jesus returning to the scene that so stirred up those who wanted Him killed? (vs 9-11)

It led to many more believing on Him. But also to the Jewish priests making plans to kill both Jesus and Lazarus! There are many places in the world where friendship with Jesus can be just as dangerous today as it was then. The clearer God's work in us, as in the conversion of Saul, so the more hostile the attacks against us will be. If ever that should come our way, let us fear God more than we fear man. (Matthew 10:28)

The other incident we see is that of Mary taking an expensive 'pound of nard' ointment, and anointing the feet of Jesus. The gospel of Luke tells us that it was this Mary who sat at Jesus' feet listening to His words, while Martha, as she was now doing, busied herself with serving those at table. And, just as Mary at that time had chosen 'the better part', so too she now chose, albeit unknowingly, a far better part!

We also get a footnote of the heart of Judas. (vs 6) Just as Mary's heart was full of love for Jesus, so Judas' heart was full of love of money. Jesus spoke the truth when He said: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) What Mary likely didn't realize, was that she was doing something for the day of Jesus burial. The women wouldn't have time to do that when that moment would soon arrive. But her act filled the room with fragrance. And, as the apostle Paul said, may God grant that we too might be led as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession, and spread the fragrant aroma of the knowledge of Him wherever we go. (2 Corinthians 2:14)