John 11:1-11
It was Friday, the 9th of Nisan, six days before the Passover. The exact year of this event cannot be precisely determined. The Hebrew calendar is based on lunar cycles and has to be adjusted occasionally to sync with the solar calendar. (Although this date is pure speculation based on available information, the date may have been March 29, 0030.)
Jesus and His disciples returned to Bethany, a town about two miles east of Jerusalem. They arrived, six days before the Passover, or Pesach, as recorded in John's gospel.
Jesus and His disciples returned to Bethany, a town about two miles east of Jerusalem. They arrived, six days before the Passover, or Pesach, as recorded in John's gospel.
After His arrival the people of Bethany gave Jesus a dinner. Lazarus, recently brought back from the dead, was in attendance. Martha was busy serving the dinner guests and Mary, Martha’s sister, was anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive, fragrant oil.
This event is where we start to see the heart of Judas Iscariot. He complains that anointing Jesus’ feet with such expensive oil is a waste. Judas says, “Why wasn’t this fragrant oil sold for 300 denari and given to the poor.
This event is where we start to see the heart of Judas Iscariot. He complains that anointing Jesus’ feet with such expensive oil is a waste. Judas says, “Why wasn’t this fragrant oil sold for 300 denari and given to the poor.
“[Judas] didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.” (John 12:5-6 HCSB)
Jesus and His disciples remained in Bethany through the Sabbath. Meanwhile, the religious leaders not only plotted to kill Jesus but also plotted to kill Lazarus since the stories of how Jesus raised him from the dead were circulating and increasing Jesus' popularity.
Let's focus on Mary's act of worship. Yes, anointing Jesus' feet with expensive oil was an act of worship.
The scripture says it was expensive. It also tells us that Judas didn't care about the poor even though he asked why the oil wasn't sold and given to the poor. It says he was a thief and kept some of the money from the money bag.
How much is 300 denarii? It was considered a year's wages for the average worker. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the average annual income of an American in 2019 was $49,672. In today's dollars, Mary anointed Jesus feet with oil that was worth the cost of a very nice, new car. She certainly understood the concept of treasures in heaven versus treasures on earth. She sacrificed something of great value as an act of worship towards Jesus.
What about us? How much are we willing to sacrifice for the Lord? A year's worth of wages or just a fraction? Our time, or just a small fraction of our time?
Let's ask the same question from a different angle. What are we not willing to part with for Jesus? I am willing to give Jesus everything I have except...
Jesus and His disciples remained in Bethany through the Sabbath. Meanwhile, the religious leaders not only plotted to kill Jesus but also plotted to kill Lazarus since the stories of how Jesus raised him from the dead were circulating and increasing Jesus' popularity.
Let's focus on Mary's act of worship. Yes, anointing Jesus' feet with expensive oil was an act of worship.
The scripture says it was expensive. It also tells us that Judas didn't care about the poor even though he asked why the oil wasn't sold and given to the poor. It says he was a thief and kept some of the money from the money bag.
How much is 300 denarii? It was considered a year's wages for the average worker. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the average annual income of an American in 2019 was $49,672. In today's dollars, Mary anointed Jesus feet with oil that was worth the cost of a very nice, new car. She certainly understood the concept of treasures in heaven versus treasures on earth. She sacrificed something of great value as an act of worship towards Jesus.
What about us? How much are we willing to sacrifice for the Lord? A year's worth of wages or just a fraction? Our time, or just a small fraction of our time?
Let's ask the same question from a different angle. What are we not willing to part with for Jesus? I am willing to give Jesus everything I have except...
