Thursday 28 March, 2019

12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 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. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 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. 7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

My first thought in reading this passage is how amazing it would be to sit at the table with someone who had been raised from the dead. There Lazarus is, among those reclining at the table with Jesus, just days before having been dead in the grave.

This is the possibility of the power of God. When you imagine this, it is no wonder that Mary pours out perfume all over Jesus feet. Such was her gratitude for His power, worked in her brothers life. What is a large outpouring of expensive perfume when your brother has been brought back from the dead?

The call of the Spirit to me through this passage is – how much am I asking for the power of Jesus to be working in my life, and those I am called to serve and love? And upon experiencing Jesus’ power, does my heart overflow in gratitude like Mary’s does here?

Lord, I seek you that you would move powerfully in answer to my prayers, and am grateful for all you have already done in response to prayers I’ve prayed!

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh