Fifth Sunday in Lent (2025)

Scripture

John 12:1–8 NIV

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 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. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 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. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Sermon

If you stop to think about it, this is quite a cast of characters. We have Jesus and His disciples. They are gathered at the home of Simon, one of the lepers Jesus had healed. Also with them were Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Yes. this is the same Lazarus who was dead for three days. Who had been buried when Jesus got there and who heard Jesus say, “Lazarus, Come forth.”

So on one side is Simon, on the other is Lazarus. And if you look in the kitchen, you’ll find Martha. She’s laboring to prepare a meal fit for a king. Do you think Mary will be helping her this time?

Nope. She’s exactly where we often find her, at the feet of Jesus. But do you see what she has there in her hands. An alabaster box. It’s where people keep their expensive perfumes.

And she opens the jar and pours some perfume on his feet. Now, understand this. Jesus was human in every aspect of what it means to be a human. When it was cold, Jesus was cold. When it was hot, Jesus was hot. When the roads were wet and muddy, Jesus walked through the water and the mud. Maybe you already know what I’m getting at this morning. There were times when the feet of Jesus stunk, just like ours do.

But not after this anointing with oil. The text says the smell of the perfume filled the house. Here, was a room with two tangible expressions of Christ’s healing power in Simon and Lazarus, everyone watching this demonstration of Mary’s love and devotion to Jesus combined with her humility in using her hair to wipe his feet, and Judas complains.

This is an incredible moment about to be ruined by a spirit of selfishness and greed. Why this waste. Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? But Judas wasn’t really worried about the poor. His concern was not about all the good that could have been done with the money. It was about lining his own pockets.

But Jesus calls him on this. He doesn’t tell everyone what Judas is about to do, but He chastises him and reminds him the poor will always be with you, but Jesus would not be.