"What a Gift that would Be"
Wendy Nieman
Monday, March 29, 2010
John 12:1-11
John 12: 1-11
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
What a Gift that would be
The perfume Mary used to wipe Jesus’ feet was worth quite a bit of money and could very well have been her life savings. If she so chose, she could have sold the perfume for a substancial sum. Instead, she chose to annoint Jesus’ feet with it. She did this with great intention and no regret at all. Jesus has just brought her brother back to her.
As I read this passage, I can only think of what I would give to have time with my grandparents and loved ones that are now gone. As I age into adulthood I realize how short life really is. To lose a dear loved one only makes me realize that more. To give our life’s savings or all worldly posessions to have time with a grandparent, spouse, child or loved one that is no longer in our life… that is truly an annointed gift.