The fearless life

March 29, 2021 (Monday)

 

We are in what has been called “Holy Week.” It details the final days of Jesus ministry. So let’s track the events of this week, beginning with Saturday.

 

John sets the stage with these words, “Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, home of Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.” [John 12:1 CEB] The time and place are set. A significant event is mentioned, Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead.

 

Mary, presumably Lazarus’ sister, makes a dramatic demonstration: “Then Mary took an extraordinary amount, almost three-quarters of a pound, of very expensive perfume made of pure nard. She anointed Jesus’ feet with it, then wiped his feet dry with her hair. The house was filled with the aroma of the perfume.” [John 12:3 CEB]

 

The note about “very expensive” testifies to Mary’s willingness to make a significate sacrifice. Not only was this a financial sacrifice, but nard (spikenard) was also thought to be healing. Finally, she sacrificed her pride (and social standing). As the head female, it would have been beneath her station to tend to Jesus’ feet. Here she wiped His feet with her hair.

 

Judas acts as a contrast, his greedy heart (he was a thief… see John 12:6) opens his mouth, “Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), complained...” [John 12:4 CEB] Comparisons-contrasts are given for us to learn life lessons. Mary sacrifice, Judas only wanted to acquire.

 

Jesus now reminds His followers about the mission, “Then Jesus said, “Leave her alone. This perfume was to be used in preparation for my burial, and this is how she has used it.” [John 12:7 CEB] During His ministry Jesus as stated three times He would rise from the dead. Now Jesus notes this was in preparation for His death.

 

Jesus then lands a sever lesson, “You will always have the poor among you, but you won’t always have me.” [John 12:8 CEB] The idea that we can end poverty or somehow create a human utopia is a myth. Jesus is telling us a sad reality. The opportunity will always be there to help the poor, maybe that’s why we tend to not see the need.

 

Remember Lazarus? Yes, the one Jesus raised from the dead? He’s become a tourist destination. This is Passover week and people from all over the world would have traveled to Jerusalem. This may have been the first time many of them were hearing about Jesus.

 

As evil tends to do (steal, kill, and destroy) a plot is hatched. “The chief priests decided that they would kill Lazarus too.” [John 12:10 CEB] I can imagine what this news meant to Lazarus. Having experienced eternity, I doubt he lived in any kind of fear. People without fear scare people who use intimidation to maintain control.

 

Even more challenging to the evil world system people without fear draw people to the truth. “It was because of Lazarus that many of the Jews had deserted them and come to believe in Jesus.” [John 12:11 CEB] As followers of Jesus we understand Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead. We know that when we die we continue to follow Jesus into eternal life. Life without fear… “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” [1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV, NIV, NLT, BSB, NASB, AB, ASB, HCSB, DRB, ERV, etc.… you get the idea…]