John 12:1–11 - 1 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.
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, Jesus joined a special dinner in Bethany at the house of Lazarus - the man He had brought back from death. Martha busied herself serving the guests, but her sister Mary had something extraordinary planned (vv. 1-2). Taking a bottle of costly perfume, she shocked everyone by pouring it over Jesus' feet, then used her own hair to dry them. The fragrance spread throughout the entire house (v. 3). This beautiful moment was spoiled when Judas, who often stole from the group's money bag, complained that selling the perfume could have helped the poor (vv. 4-6). Jesus stepped in to defend Mary, pointing out this act connected to His coming burial (vv. 7-8). The news about Lazarus drew huge crowds wanting to see him alive, which pushed the chief priests to add him to their death list since his story made more people trust in Jesus (vv. 9-11).
How can I apply John 12:1-11 to my life?
In a small village just outside Jerusalem, an intimate gathering turned into an unforgettable moment of pure worship. Mary's radical act of devotion to Jesus - pouring expensive perfume worth a year's wages on His feet - shows us what genuine love for Jesus looks like in action. This scene includes several key players: Mary, who gave her most valuable possession to honor Jesus; Judas, who masked his greed with fake spiritual concern; and Lazarus, whose very presence proved Jesus' power to bring the dead back to life. Their different responses to Jesus paint a clear picture of how our own hearts can respond to Him today. Some pour out everything they have in grateful worship. Others hide selfish motives behind religious words. Many stand as living proof that Jesus changes lives completely. This passage pushes us to look at our own hearts and actions. Do we hold back from giving Jesus our best? Do we judge how others express their love for Him? Does our changed life show others His power? Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Give Your Best to Jesus with a Heart Full of Love and Gratitude (vv. 1-3): Mary took the costliest thing she owned and used it to worship Jesus in an act of pure devotion. Some gifts cost us deeply - far more than mere money can measure. Mary's perfume equaled a year's wages, yet she poured it out without hesitation. Such extravagant worship makes perfect sense when we understand who Jesus is and what He means to us. He wants every part of our lives, not just the easy leftovers we have remaining at the end of our day. Our time belongs to Him - those early morning moments we could spend in prayer, those lunch breaks perfect for reading His Word. Our abilities are His gifts to us, meant to be used in service to others rather than stored away safely. Sometimes worship means opening our wallets wide, giving more than feels comfortable to support God's work. Other times it means standing alone, praising Jesus even when others roll their eyes or whisper behind our backs. Real worship bubbles up from hearts that have been transformed by His amazing grace. Once we truly see how Jesus paid our massive sin debt and gave us life forever with Him, nothing we give Him seems too much. Like that perfume's sweet fragrance spreading through every room of the house, genuine worship affects everyone nearby. Our determined choice to honor Jesus, no matter the cost, shows others His incredible worth and draws them toward His light (Psalm 96:8-9, Romans 12:1-2, Mark 12:41-44).
Food for Thought: What is the most valuable thing in your life that you could give to Jesus as an act of worship? How does your gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice affect your willingness to sacrifice for Him?
2. Guard Your Heart Against Judging Others' Sincere Worship (vv. 4-8): Judas criticized Mary's act of worship, masking his greed with fake concern for the poor. People express their love for Jesus in vastly different ways. The businessman writes massive checks to support missionaries while the elderly widow spends hours on her knees praying for the lost. A young mom teaches Sunday School with passion, and the quiet accountant down the street opens his home to host Bible studies. Yet how quickly we jump to question their choices! "They are just showing off," we mutter. "That money could be better spent elsewhere," we think to ourselves. Satan knows exactly how to use these moments to divide God's people. He whispers doubt into our minds about others' motives, plants suspicion about their sincerity and stirs up criticism of their methods. Before we know it, we have appointed ourselves as judges over someone else's offering to Jesus. This kind of spiritual pride poisons our own worship and creates walls between believers who should be supporting each other. God sees straight through our attempts to spiritualize our criticism. Often, our harsh judgment of others covers up our own halfhearted devotion to Jesus. What if we started celebrating the different ways people honor God instead of picking them apart? A teenager's enthusiastic worship songs and a grandmother's faithful casseroles for the sick both bring joy to Jesus. The body of Christ becomes stronger when we cheer each other on rather than tear each other down (1 Samuel 16:7, Romans 14:4, Philippians 2:3-4).
Food for Thought: What causes you to feel critical of how others express their love for Jesus? How can you turn those moments of criticism into opportunities for personal spiritual growth?
3. Let Your Life Be a Testimony of Jesus' Life-Changing Power (vv. 9-11): News about Lazarus being raised from the dead drew large crowds who wanted to see both Jesus and this living proof of His power. Our transformed lives stand as powerful evidence of what Jesus can do, speaking louder than any words we might say. The changes Jesus makes in us catch the attention of people around us - family members notice our newfound patience, coworkers see our integrity under pressure, neighbors spot our willingness to help others in need. Some will respond with interest, asking questions about our faith and wanting to know more about Jesus. Others might attack or mock us, threatened by the truth our changed lives display. Both reactions prove that God is using our testimony to stir up thoughts about Him in other people's hearts. Just as Lazarus did not need to preach sermons or write books to impact others, our steady walk with Jesus speaks volumes to those watching us. The boss who notices we do not join in office gossip, the relative who sees peace in our eyes during hard times, the friend who wonders why we give so much time to serve at church - each observation opens a door for God to work in their lives. When we stay faithful through difficulties, forgive those who hurt us, or keep our joy despite problems, we show that Jesus brings real change. Our lives become living billboards advertising His power to transform people from the inside out. The religious leaders wanted to kill Lazarus to silence his testimony, but no opposition could change the fact that Jesus had given him new life. In the same way, nothing can erase the proof of Jesus' work that shows through a life surrendered to Him (2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:12, Matthew 5:16).
Food for Thought: How has your life changed since you started following Jesus in ways that others can see? What parts of your daily life could become a stronger testimony of Jesus' power to change people?
The sweet perfume that filled the house that day in Bethany still lingers through the ages, teaching us profound truths about authentic worship. Real love for Jesus leads to action - bold, costly, and sometimes misunderstood by others. When we grasp the depth of what Jesus has done for us, giving Him our absolute best becomes a natural response. Our task is not to measure or judge the worship of fellow believers but to encourage their devotion to Jesus. Every time someone pours out honest praise, serves with pure motives, or gives sacrificially, the fragrance of true worship rises to God. Lives transformed by Jesus become powerful testimonies that draw others to Him. The religious leaders could not stop people from believing in Jesus when they saw Lazarus walking around alive. In the same way, our changed lives today can point others toward the One who brings dead things back to life. The world needs to see believers who hold nothing back from Jesus, support each other's expressions of faith, and display His transforming power in everyday life.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would build in me the same pure devotion that led Mary to pour out her treasured perfume at Jesus' feet. My worship often feels small and safe - break through my hesitation to give You everything. Some days I cling too tightly to my time and resources, forgetting the matchless worth of Your Son. Transform my heart until holding anything back from You becomes unthinkable.
Lord, I confess my quick tendency to judge how other believers express their love for You. That critical spirit has no place in a heart grateful for Your grace. I pray that You would root out this pride and plant genuine joy when I see others worship You in ways different from my own. Let me become someone who fans the flames of others' devotion instead of dousing their passion with criticism.
Shape my life into unmistakable evidence of Your power. In my workplace, neighborhood, and home, I want my changed attitudes and actions to point clearly to Jesus. When circumstances feel overwhelming or opposition rises against my faith, strengthen me to stand firm. Use my ordinary days to showcase Your extraordinary ability to transform lives.
Most of all, fill my heart with such deep gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice that extravagant worship flows naturally. Let everything I am become a living testimony of Your grace.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
John 11:3 – “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.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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