The Triple Threat

John 12:1 ESV

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

One of the key notes of this verse is that this is the Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead in the previous chapter.

John 12:2 ESV

2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.

This dinner, for Jesus, was given by Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha. Lazarus, of course was a key guest- but for the 2 sisters, the guest of honor was Jesus.

John 12:3 ESV

3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Mary’s actions were not difficult in form- the manner of eating was to recline with one’s head at the table and one’s feet pointing away. Therefore, Mary would have no issue but to get to the feet of Jesus and do her work. The issue is the amount of expensive ointment she uses. It appears to be year’s worth of salary, perhaps all that Mary had!

This was perhaps all that Mary had. but she presents it as an offering to Jesus of love and gratitude, certainly motivated by Jesus’ actions in raising her brother Lazarus to life.

The wiping of her hair on his feet was a matter of devotion and worship...

If everyone did not see what Mary was doing, they would very quickly smell it. The fragrance would have filled the house quickly.

Her devotion was being shown before it was too late. She was bringing roses to Jesus while he was alive- and not sending them to the funeral. Notice that Jesus both commends Mary and defends Mary in this action.

Mary came to the feet of Jesus to worship him, as a slave would come to the feet of her master. Mary let her hair down to wipe his feet… something no decent Jewish woman would ever do.

She was misunderstood.

She was criticized.

And she gave her best to the Lord in order to be misunderstood and criticized. And if you choose to give your best to Jesus, don’t expect anything more than Mary got.

John 12:4 ESV

4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said,

Please note- this is the first time you will hear a word out of Judas’ mouth in the gospels. Note what he says;

John 12:5 ESV

5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

John 12:6 ESV

6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.

It’s worth noting that, until the very end, Jesus’ disciples believed that Judas was a devoted follower of the Lord.

John 12:7 ESV

7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.

Jesus seems to appreciate, and allow for Mary’s act of devotion.

John 12:8 ESV

8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Jesus is anticipating his own death in this satement. That is what is on his mind here in Bethany in the home of Mary and Martha and Lazarus.

Jesus is not justifying the poverty Judas is addressing, but it was a statement to Judas: If you are really all that concerned about the poor, don’t worry, there will always be opportunity to help them.

It is probably worthwhile, at this moment, to contrast the attitudes of Mary with that of Judas. Mary is offering her best to Jesus in worship, and Judas views that offering in its most base, utilitarian value- money.

You must wonder, at least I must wonder, how much did this rebuke of Judas by Jesus play in his decision to actually betray Jesus? Or did Judas have a purpose from the beginning and Jesus was just a good pawn to serve his original purposes....?

John 12:9 ESV

9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

John 12:10 ESV

10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,

John 12:11 ESV

11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The crowd response to Jesus brings a crisis to his enemies. So many people became his followers, the priests determined that not only did he have to die but Lazarus would have to go as well.

And this brings me to my bottom line:

Well, bottom lines. No, there are not two of them.

Triple Threat. Three Bottom Lines. Sit back; you will be ok.

First,

Working For Jesus Is Often Unrecognized Witness

Martha. Remember Jesus words’ to Martha the last time Jesus visited this home:

Luke 10:38–42 ESV

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Hebrews 13:16 ESV

16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Matthew 25:35–40 ESV

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Acts 9:36 ESV

36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.

Galatians 6:10 ESV

10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 ESV

13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.

Worship of Jesus Is Often Misunderstood Witness- But Never Misplaced Waste

Matthew 26:6–13 ESV

6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Why This Waste? by the disciples...

Witness For Jesus- Use Words When Necessary

Lazarus never speaks in the Bible.