The Gospel of John: John 12.1-11

Read and meditate on John 12.7, 8.
Without exposing Judas’ self-indulgent motives, Jesus commended Mary’s offering, and explained its significance.

                                       ⁷Jesus said,
“Let her alone, for she has this instead
kept for the day when I am buried. ⁸You
the poor have with you always, and can do
for them at any time you choose. But Me
you do not always have.”

- John 12.7, 8

Reflect
1.  Jesus’ command to “Let her alone” suggests that people had begun to try and restrain Mary. Jesus thus received Mary’s lavish gift, and commended her actions of pouring it on His head and feet, and wiping His feet with her hair. What do you suppose the effect of this was on Mary? Complete the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I offer You myself for this day – all my time, strength, attention, and effort. Help me to…

2.  Jesus said that Mary had “kept” that ointment “for the day of My burial.” The sense of kept is that Mary had been saving the oil to signify that Jesus would die. Do you suppose Mary understood that prior to this moment? But she had kept the oil nonetheless, and when she was moved to make some dramatic gesture of honor and reverence for Jesus, that oil was available, and she did not hesitate. What precious treasures are you keeping that Jesus might want you to offer for His honor and glory? All that I am and have is Yours, Lord. As You lead me, help me to…

3.  Jesus saw Mary’s offering as signifying His death. From the time of the Trojan War, spikenard (v. 3) was used to apply a sweet fragrance to the bodies of the dead. Why do you suppose people did this? Why was it important to anoint the departed with a sweet fragrance, prior to their entombment? What were people saying by doing this? Why didn’t Mary use this with Lazarus when he died? Why did Jesus bother to connect Mary’s offering with His own death? What was He saying to His disciples about events to come?

4.  Jesus commends in part Judas’ suggestion about sharing with the poor (v. 6). In Mark 14.7 He says, “For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.” He did not want His rebuke (“Let her alone”) to become an excuse for not sharing with the poor. Why? Meditate on Galatians 2.10. How does your church practice this? Thank You, Lord, that You shared the riches of glory with me, a poor sinner. Help me always to…

5.  There is something ominous about that “Me you do not have always.” We can imagine the disciples’ hearts sinking upon hearing that. To what was Jesus alluding? Meditate on John 14.1-3 and John 15.5-7. Why was Jesus’ departing good news? Since this remark portended such good things, why didn’t Jesus allay their sadness and say more? Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“It is as though Judas were asking an innocent question, and so our Lord simply and gently explained the mystery of what Mary’s action meant, namely, that he himself was about to die and that he was to be anointed for his burial with the spices. It was being granted to Mary (to whom it would not be permitted to anoint his dead body, although she greatly desired this) to render a service [to him while he was] still alive, since she would be unable [to perform it] after his death, for she would be prevented by his swift resurrection.” The Venerable Bede (672-735 AD)

John begins to slow his narrative significantly, and to pack it with symbolism. He is enhancing his narrative by embellishing it with symbolic acts, such as this anointing, the question of the Greeks, the washing of the disciples’ feet, and the inauguration of the Supper. Why would he do this? How do such symbols affect us as followers of Jesus? Are they important? Explain.

Closing Prayer
What shall I render to the LORD
For all His benefits toward me?
I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD
Now in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD
Is the death of His saints.
O LORD, truly I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;
You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD
Now in the presence of all His people,
In the courts of the LORD’s house,
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!

Psalm 116.12-19

Psalm 116.7-19 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above)
Full well the Lord has dealt with me; my soul from death He delivered.
My weeping eyes, my stumbling feet, He has redeemed forever.
Forever I before His face shall walk with those who know His grace,
And dwell with them forever.

Afflicted, I believe His Word, though lying men would undo me.
What shall I render to the Lord for all His blessings to me?
Salvation’s cup I lift above and call upon the God of love
And pay my vows most truly.

How sweet to Him when saints depart – save me, Your servant, Savior!
From sin You loosed my wand’ring heart; I praise Your Name forever!
On You I call, my vows to pay; here in Your presence I would stay
Your praise to offer ever.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.