Filled with the Fragrance
Scripture Passage: John 12:1-11 (NASB)
Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” 6 Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. 7 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”
9 The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.
Summary
It is six days before the Passover. Jesus came to Lazarus’ house in Bethany on the way to Jerusalem. Martha was serving, Lazarus was reclining at the table with Jesus, and Mary was anointing the feet of Jesus. Judas Iscariot was judging Mary, but Jesus praised Mary’s devotion. Also, many Jews were there to see both Jesus and Lazarus, who was raised from the dead. Behind the scenes, the chief priests planned to kill even Lazarus because many Jews were believing in Jesus on his account.
Meditation & Reflection
I meditated on verse 3, which says, “Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
Many different characters and their actions are described in today’s passage. Also, the author explains the motivation, or hearts, of some of these people. The most contrasting characters are Mary and Judas. Mary is anointing Jesus’ feet with her perfume of pure nard for His burial, but Judas, with the mind of a thief, criticizes her for wasting money.
Mary devoted her perfume, an expensive ointment used in preparation for marriage in Israel, to Jesus in today’s passage. The perfume must have been the most precious item among her possessions not only because of its cost, but also because of the time she spent saving to buy it. The perfume was perhaps a symbol of her dream of marriage.
However, on this particular day, she decided to pour the perfume on the feet of Jesus. She felt that it might be the last day to show her appreciation and love for Jesus. She knew what was the most important thing to do, and she knew who was most worthy to be recognized at that time. She was used by God for His plan of redemption.
Today is the first day of sharing QT devotionals on the HolyWave blog. This passage for our QT sharing group means so much. There is no coincidence in a believer’s life. I clearly see that God wants our daily devotions to be shared on this blog. We want to glorify Him and bless others just as Mary poured out her perfume on the feet of Jesus and the house was filled with its fragrance.
On this blog, we want to pour out our hearts and lives to let people know what Jesus has done for each one of us, and we want to tell others how the Word of God guides us and gives us strength in times of need. As Mary prepared for Jesus’ burial through her sacrifice, we also want to be like the five wise virgins and prepare our lamps with oil before His second coming through our daily devotions (Matt. 25:1-13), which fill us with the Holy Spirit and transform us through His Word.
I see that this unprecedented timing of the COVID-19 crisis is an opportunity for us to be alert. God is waking us up to hear His voice and to obey Him through our daily quiet times. I want this space to be used to show our love for Jesus, who is our eternal Groom. Through sharing our lives and hearts here, I pray that we would be transformed in His image. Through our devotions, I pray that the church and families would be filled with the aroma of Christ.
Application
Writing a devotion requires commitment, which means I may have to give up some of my personal time. I need to be not only humbled, but I also need to be vulnerable with others. However, I would like to share the guidance, teaching, and correcting that God provides me daily through His Word to display who He is and how good He is.
Prayer
I thank God for my sisters in Christ in the QT ministry, who are faithfully seeking and loving God regardless of their situations and circumstances. I pray that God would pour out His blessings continuously upon sisters and brothers and their families through their wonderful and precious commitment.
Please share your personal meditations on this Scripture passage with the HolyWave community in the comments section below. (We reserve the right to moderate comments.)