Blake Allen
Dunbar Cave Campus Pastor
John 12:1-7
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.”
If you had a years worth of wages, what would you do with it? If you spent it on something, what would you buy? For some of us, we would buy experiences. That may be a vacation or trip to somewhere you always wanted to go. For some of us, maybe we would spend it on a hobby. Hunting, fishing, mountain climbing, or season tickets to see your favorite football team. For some of us, that may be a new ride or a hefty downpayment for a new house. What would you spend a years wages on?
For Mary, it was worship. Jesus had just raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. When Lazarus died, he was buried in a tomb for four days. When Jesus arrived on the scene Mary ran to Him and asked why He had let her brother die. Jesus stood in front of the tomb, told Lazarus to come out, and Lazarus came out. Not long after they went inside Lazarus’ house. A dinner was given to honor Jesus who was their special guest.
During the dinner, Mary comes before Jesus in worship. She takes an expensive perfume and began to anoint Jesus’ feet with it. Judas didn’t understand why Mary would do such a thing. The perfume was worth a years worth of wages. Some believe this was either Mary’s inheritance or a dowry given for her hand in marriage. And what does she do with such an expensive and precious gift? She gives it all in worship of Jesus. She gave Jesus her best.
She could have sold the perfume and made bank! She could have bought a thousand gifts for herself. She could have collected the money and started a business or food bank. She could have done alot with a years worth of wages. Instead, she gave it all to Jesus. She gave Him her best.
Are you giving God your best? Your best worship? Your best devotion? Your best praise? Your best effort? Your best witness? Your best giving? Many would have given a portion. Many would have given some of the perfume to Jesus and kept the rest for themselves. Mary gave it all. What does giving your best to Jesus look like? Give Him your best.