The Fragrance of Love

 

Isaiah 42:1-7 ~~~ Psalm 27 ~~~ John 12:1-11~~~

 

The tension is building, but Jesus finds comfort and safety

sharing a meal with his friends.

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are present.

 Some of the apostles accompany Jesus also.

Imagine the preparations for this special visit from Jesus.

Mary has been praying for days in preparation

for what she has planned for Jesus.

Jesus too must appreciate the planning and cooking

 that has taken place before he arrives.

 

He knows that his days are numbered

and this may be the last chance he has

to share in loving fellowship in their home.

 

Even Lazarus' life is in danger

 because of his close association with Jesus.

Word soon spread about Jesus raising him back to life 

 three days after his death.

 

'...the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,
because many of the Jews were turning away
and believing in Jesus because of him.'

 

Judas is present. He is a witness to how much Jesus is loved.

Is he jealous? Does he long for a similar kind of love?

 

Soon there is a strong fragrance filling the whole house.

It is not a smell commonly associated with food cooking

or even bread baking.

It is instead the unmistakably sweet smell of perfume.

A fragrance used typically in their burial rituals.

A costly perfume reserved for the death of a loved one.

A perfume used sparingly, difficult to replace.

 

Mary brought this gift...the most valuable possession she had,

and gave it all to anoint her beloved friend, Jesus.

She gave her finest and she gave it lavishly.

She gave all of it the entire liter.

She humbly knelt at the feet of Jesus and anointed his feet.

She used her long hair to wipe the excess from his feet.

 

Judas, in particular,

 was appalled at such extravagant wastefulness.

  “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages
and given to the poor?”

 

Judas is so misguided with his loyalties.

Is it the almighty money pouch or the Almighty Messiah?

Jesus quietly and calmly responds...

 “Leave her alone.
Let her keep this for the day of my burial.
You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The day is getting closer when Jesus will no longer be with them.

 

 

We are presented with two opposing concepts today.

...In Mary, one of total self giving...

 in Judas, one of total selfishness.

Mary pours out her love for Jesus by giving him the best she has to offer.

Judas is unable to think of anyone but himself, even as he pretends

to be concerned for the poor.

 

Mary is transparent, open, and honest about her feelings for Jesus.

Mary truly loves Jesus.

Judas is dark and deceitful about his feelings for Jesus.

Judas truly loves himself.

Jesus accepts both where they are,

 even as Judas criticizes the action of Mary.

 

Are you giving Jesus the very best you have?

Are you giving him the most precious gift of yourself?

Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance

everywhere that I go.

A line taken from a beautiful song called the

Fragrance Prayer.