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Scripture • World English Bible
John 12:1–11
1Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him.
3Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.
4Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said,
5“Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
6Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.
7But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial.
8For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.”
9A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
10But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also,
11because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
World English Bible (WEB) • Public Domain
Reflection
Six days before the Passover Jesus visits Bethany, and the house is a place where grief and glory meet. Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, sits at the table. In that setting Mary takes a very costly perfume, pours it on Jesus’ feet, and wipes them with her hair. Her act fills the house with fragrance and creates a scene that draws notice, praise, and criticism.
Mary’s action models a kind of worship that is costly, intimate, and prophetic. Costly — she used what was very precious, something she could have sold or saved. Intimate — anointing and wiping feet with her hair was a deeply personal gesture, suited to someone who loved Jesus closely. Prophetic — Jesus recognizes the act as preparation for his burial; her worship points ahead to the cross and to the depth of what he was about to accomplish.
The scene also exposes competing hearts. Judas objects on supposed grounds of charity; Jesus gently rebukes that criticism and honors Mary’s devotion. His reply doesn’t dismiss care for the poor — he acknowledges that the poor will always be present and deserve our care — but he insists that the moment called for an act of undistracted devotion to him. The contrast is instructive: gifts and service can be worship when offered to God, and they can be self-serving when mixed with wrong motives.
For followers of Jesus, Mary’s example invites us to rethink what it means to give our best. Worship is not merely compliance with religious duty. It is a wholehearted offering of what we most value — time, possessions, reputation, or even sorrow — to Jesus. Sometimes worship will look like practical mercy; other times it will look like a seemingly extravagant gesture of praise that prepares our hearts for the cost of discipleship.
There is also a public dimension. People came to see Jesus because of Lazarus, and many believed. Worship that honors Christ can point others to him and influence the course of faith in a community. But even if public consequence never follows, Mary’s posture is one of faithful love first, with any outward fruit left to God.
If you struggle with how to worship, notice three simple truths from this story: worship can be costly; worship is often most powerful when it is personal and sincere; and worship that anticipates Jesus’ suffering is worship that understands who he is and what his mission means for us. Let Mary’s fragrant act lead you to consider what you have that you can offer to Jesus without holding back.
Putting Faith Into Action
- Offer something costly to Christ this week: set aside the best time you have for uninterrupted prayer, give a sacrificial gift for gospel work, or commit a talent you’ve been keeping back.
- Examine your motives before you give or serve: ask God to reveal if you’re seeking praise, convenience, or security, and confess mixed motives so your service becomes true worship.
- Balance worship and mercy: establish one regular practice of sacrificial worship (extended prayer, fasting, a special offering) and one ongoing commitment to care for the poor (volunteer, give monthly, or support a ministry).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are worthy of our best. Help me to offer you what is costly in my life — my time, resources, and reputation — with a heart that seeks only to honor you. Purify my motives, teach me to worship even in the shadow of suffering, and use my devotion to point others to you. Amen.
Memory Verse
John 12:1 — Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. (WEB)
“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.”
Bible Context
Read all of John 12
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Bible Context
Read all of John 12
John 12
World English Bible • WEB
1Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him.
3Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.
4Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said,
5“Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
6Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.
7But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial.
8For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.”
9A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
10But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also,
11because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
12On the next day a great multitude had come to the feast. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”
14Jesus, having found a young donkey, sat on it. As it is written,
15“Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
16His disciples didn’t understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him.
17The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead was testifying about it.
18For this cause also the multitude went and met him, because they heard that he had done this sign.
19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the world has gone after him.”
20Now there were certain Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast.
21Therefore, these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”
22Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn, Andrew came with Philip, and they told Jesus.
23Jesus answered them, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
25He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.
26If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there my servant will also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
27“Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? But I came to this time for this cause.
28Father, glorify your name!”
29Therefore the multitude who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
30Jesus answered, “This voice hasn’t come for my sake, but for your sakes.
31Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out.
32And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
33But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die.
34The multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
35Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going.
36While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them.
37But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they didn’t believe in him,
38that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
39For this cause they couldn’t believe, for Isaiah said again:
40“He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart,
41Isaiah said these things when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.
42Nevertheless, even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue,
43for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.
44Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me.
45He who sees me sees him who sent me.
46I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.
47If anyone listens to my sayings and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke will judge him in the last day.
49For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me gave me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak.
50I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.”
World English Bible (WEB) • Public Domain
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