ALL TO YOU
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Opening Prayer
Father in Heaven, thank you for your love, for your grace and mercy. In them, I am saved; in them, I live; in them, I find victory for this life and the next.
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 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.”
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.
Reflect
What do you hold most precious? Imagine placing it in Jesus’ hands in an act of worship. How does this make you feel?
Thanks are due to readers who have acted as treasurers of a church or other organization. It requires responsibility and integrity. Jesus and the disciples must have expected this of Judas when they entrusted him with their group finances—and Judas breached this trust when he spent the money for himself. John is preparing us for the greater betrayal when Judas sends Jesus to his death. However, he is also questioning our own attitudes toward what we have. Because Judas was in charge of the money, he treated it as his own. Moreover, he assumed the right to dictate what Mary should have done with her property (v. 5). He acted as though he possessed everything.
What a contrast with Mary. Nothing has been entrusted to her, nor does she presume to tell others how they should use their possessions. Instead, as she pours her perfume over Jesus’ feet, she lavishly gives away in worship. John stresses how pure and precious this perfume is, emphasizing the extravagance of Mary’s gesture. Yet, as she gives it all away, something remarkable happens: the whole house is filled with the fragrance (v. 3). When we hold what we own lightly and give generously, God’s blessing may reach much further than we imagined.
Abundant as Mary’s gesture is, it is not aimless. Jesus is clear that her actions are in keeping with God’s intentions (v. 7). Mary must have been guided by God’s Spirit in saving the perfume—and then knowing the time was right to anoint Jesus with it. As we steward the many resources that God has entrusted to us for his glory, will we treat them as ours, or will we seek his will in how to use them?
Apply
As Mary poured the perfume on Jesus’ feet, everyone in the room enjoyed its fragrance. Where have you given to the Lord, only to see benefits go beyond your original intention?
Closing prayer
‘You have given all to me; to you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace; that is enough for me.’1
1 Prayer of Ignatius of Loyola.
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