Tuesday 30 August 2022

1 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. 4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. 7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Bringing Lazarus back from death to life isn’t something you can ignore – especially when Lazarus is standing there “as large as life”, so to speak. It demands a response.

Martha declares that Jesus is the Messiah (11:27). Many people who saw it all happen believe in Jesus (11:45). The chief priests and Pharisees are terrified by where they think things are going and decide that Jesus has to die (11:45-57). Lazarus’ family honour Jesus with a dinner (12:2). Mary honours Jesus as she humbly anoints his feet with perfume (12:3). None of them realise the profound significance of what they are doing.

It’s the beginning of Passover week. The chief priest is preparing for the death of Jesus, the Passover lamb who will die for all people once and for all. Another meal at the end of the week will remember how God redeemed his people from slavery as Jesus redeems all people from sin. Mary is anointing Jesus in preparation for his burial … and then he will begin the resurrection and the rolling back of death for all.

Jesus demands a response from me too. I’m with Mary. I choose to love and honour Jesus with everything I have. I’m with Martha in declaring that Jesus is the Messiah who brings the resurrection. I’m with Lazarus’ family in celebrating and worshiping Jesus. I’m not terrified with where things are going – I’m looking forward with hope to joining Jesus in his resurrection.

Jesus, thank you that you brought all of life together and through death to real unbounded everlasting life for all who believe in you. Thank you that you bring me through to the fullness of life in you. I choose to live it for you today. Amen

Written by David Cornell