WASTE NOT, WANT NOT!
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Opening Prayer
Father, may my concentration be totally on what you would say to me today through your Word. Help me to shut out all distractions and hear your voice.
Read JOHN 12:1-11
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
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[a] 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.[b]” 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,[c] but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
Footnotes
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How do you think you would have responded to Mary’s extravagant, ‘wasteful’ act described in these verses?We are programmed by our culture and those around us not to be wasteful—whether it’s food, water, energy, time, or money. We can be aghast if someone throws away perfectly good food or feel let down by someone who doesn’t use their God-given talents to their full potential. ‘What a waste!’ we cry!
Today we read of a ‘waste’ of ‘expensive perfume’ (v. 3) which is accompanied by the reaction of the scandalized Judas. John tells us how Mary lavishly pours this perfume on Jesus, resulting in the house being ‘filled with the fragrance of the perfume’ (v. 3). Jesus quickly rebukes and corrects Judas (vv. 7, 8). This is no waste but rather a beautiful act of love and devotion. As the Jewish authorities step up their plot to kill not only Jesus but also Lazarus (v. 10), Mary’s actions are the opposite—a generous act of worship to Jesus who will soon be leaving them.
The challenge for us as followers of Jesus is to follow the example of Mary and not that of Judas or the religious leaders. We’re called to live lives of extravagant devotion to Jesus where we give our best, not looking around us or counting the cost.
Apply
Where are there areas you might express your devotion to Jesus with greater extravagance—with more of yourself, your time, your resources?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, show me new ways in which I can show lavish and generous devotion to my Savior.
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