John 12:1-8
1So six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, the one having died, whom He raised from dead. 2So they made Him dinner there, and Martha was serving. But Lazarus was one of the ones reclining to eat with Him.
3Then Mary, having taken a litra (about 12 ounces/340 grams) of very valuable, pure spikenard ointment, anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled from the fragrance of the ointment. 4Therefore one of His disciples (Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, the one about to betray Him) says, 5“Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred denarii (300 days’ wages) and given to poor?” 6Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief and holding the money bag and was stealing that being put in. 7Then Jesus said, “Allow her; she has kept it for the day of My burial preparation. 8For the poor always have with yourselves, but Me do not always have.”
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Please teach us as we open our hearts and minds to your leading. Thank you. Amen." If ever there were a group of verses that were used more than any other for sermons that concerned money, these must be in that group.
Almost as though it was a second thought, Lazarus being raised from the dead is mentioned above. Truthfully, the reason for the whole celebration has to do with that Miracle! The thing is, when we hear messages concerning these verses they usually have to do with the money, and what it represents.
Today's easy lesson: There have been discussions taken from the verses above that allude to a lover's relationship between Mary and Jesus. More so, when the need for money is the primary focus of the pastor and his church, the idea of sacrificial giving shows up. It appears that is what Mary is doing above, and similarly what is needed from the congregation.
Let's ask a question. What was Mary before she met Jesus, that is, what job did she have. It had to be something with good wages to make enough money to buy, using nearly a years worth of wages, less than a pint of perfume to wash the feet of Jesus. It was commonly taught until just recently that Mary was a prostitute. Then not too long ago, that she was simply a repentant woman who followed Jesus and Trusted in Him. Mary's sister Martha and brother Lazarus, who's home this celebration was taking place Trusted Jesus as well. Mary Magdalene, her full name, has no historical record to come to any conclusion except that of a Trusting follower of Jesus. No doubt closer to Him than most, as the whole family treated Jesus as though He were their own blood. In fact, Mary is brought up twice in Scripture. Once in our verses above, and once at the time of Jesus' Crucifixion, where she is found offering comfort to Jesus on His way to the Cross.
How does this help you in your daily walk with the Father? Some people do notice the one thing Mary is doing without thinking about the money. That is, Mary is so thankful to Jesus for bringing her brother Lazarus back to Life, and honoring Lazarus as they are about to eat together, she does the one thing she can do. She gives Jesus not her body, nor Judas her perfume, but she takes her prized possession and uses it for the most common activity, washing one's feet before coming together for a meal. She asks for nothing more from Jesus, in Him she has found everything, so she does the only thing she can. She says "Thank You" in a way that allows everyone to notice that Jesus is there. The house is filled with the perfume of thanks. Without regard to herself she wipes His feet with her hair, then disappears from the scene so Jesus alone will be spoken of, rather than focusing on what she had done.
Jesus said that when you give, give so that your left hand doesn't know what your right hand has done. It is called being humble, and when the Father leads you to do a good deed, He isn't asking you to tell the world of the good thing you have done. After all God lead you to that needy person or situation, and if you are keeping count, that is wrong. Keep it to yourself, allow your Father to be satisfied with your good works. Build on your relationship by allowing Him the Glory. This is one way that you will find true joy in your Life. Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
1So six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, the one having died, whom He raised from dead. 2So they made Him dinner there, and Martha was serving. But Lazarus was one of the ones reclining to eat with Him.
3Then Mary, having taken a litra (about 12 ounces/340 grams) of very valuable, pure spikenard ointment, anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled from the fragrance of the ointment. 4Therefore one of His disciples (Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, the one about to betray Him) says, 5“Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred denarii (300 days’ wages) and given to poor?” 6Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief and holding the money bag and was stealing that being put in. 7Then Jesus said, “Allow her; she has kept it for the day of My burial preparation. 8For the poor always have with yourselves, but Me do not always have.”
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Please teach us as we open our hearts and minds to your leading. Thank you. Amen." If ever there were a group of verses that were used more than any other for sermons that concerned money, these must be in that group.
Almost as though it was a second thought, Lazarus being raised from the dead is mentioned above. Truthfully, the reason for the whole celebration has to do with that Miracle! The thing is, when we hear messages concerning these verses they usually have to do with the money, and what it represents.
Today's easy lesson: There have been discussions taken from the verses above that allude to a lover's relationship between Mary and Jesus. More so, when the need for money is the primary focus of the pastor and his church, the idea of sacrificial giving shows up. It appears that is what Mary is doing above, and similarly what is needed from the congregation.
Let's ask a question. What was Mary before she met Jesus, that is, what job did she have. It had to be something with good wages to make enough money to buy, using nearly a years worth of wages, less than a pint of perfume to wash the feet of Jesus. It was commonly taught until just recently that Mary was a prostitute. Then not too long ago, that she was simply a repentant woman who followed Jesus and Trusted in Him. Mary's sister Martha and brother Lazarus, who's home this celebration was taking place Trusted Jesus as well. Mary Magdalene, her full name, has no historical record to come to any conclusion except that of a Trusting follower of Jesus. No doubt closer to Him than most, as the whole family treated Jesus as though He were their own blood. In fact, Mary is brought up twice in Scripture. Once in our verses above, and once at the time of Jesus' Crucifixion, where she is found offering comfort to Jesus on His way to the Cross.
How does this help you in your daily walk with the Father? Some people do notice the one thing Mary is doing without thinking about the money. That is, Mary is so thankful to Jesus for bringing her brother Lazarus back to Life, and honoring Lazarus as they are about to eat together, she does the one thing she can do. She gives Jesus not her body, nor Judas her perfume, but she takes her prized possession and uses it for the most common activity, washing one's feet before coming together for a meal. She asks for nothing more from Jesus, in Him she has found everything, so she does the only thing she can. She says "Thank You" in a way that allows everyone to notice that Jesus is there. The house is filled with the perfume of thanks. Without regard to herself she wipes His feet with her hair, then disappears from the scene so Jesus alone will be spoken of, rather than focusing on what she had done.
Jesus said that when you give, give so that your left hand doesn't know what your right hand has done. It is called being humble, and when the Father leads you to do a good deed, He isn't asking you to tell the world of the good thing you have done. After all God lead you to that needy person or situation, and if you are keeping count, that is wrong. Keep it to yourself, allow your Father to be satisfied with your good works. Build on your relationship by allowing Him the Glory. This is one way that you will find true joy in your Life. Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
