Putting Jesus First

 

 

 

 John 12: 1-11

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

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.”

⁹ Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, ¹¹ for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

While Jesus "indulges" himself by allowing Mary to anoint his feet with the expensive perfume, he also points out the necessity of putting him first in our lives, even above the poor.  Our lives are empty if we don't give hm that place of honor and our service is meaningless or self-serving unless done for him.  We so often lose track of the correct ordering of priorities in our enthusiastic efforts "to do good".  Keeping the desire for a deeper friendship with Jesus requires the habit of recalling his Presence often during the day by simply saying his name or by putting his face on the people with whom we live or work.  We will keep our motives pure and even avoid rash judgments, self-pity or disparaging remarks by so doing.  Jesus, Be with me as I go about this day. 

Bro. Rene