Read John 12:1-11
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. ” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
Extravagant Devotion
Spend a few moments in silence quieting your soul to receive from the Lord. Ask God to help you find your place in the biblical story through a word or phrase that “jumps out at you.”
Prayer:
I want to see you, only you,
and bathe you with my praises.
May I reverence you with sweet abandon;
willing to be a broken vessel pouring out a life of selfless service.
You relish my extravagant devotion and I am safe in this place of worship.
Nothing else matters and I can rest in our exchange
Everything else fades:
counting the cost,
what others think,
being viewed as not “all put together.”
May my worship be a sweet-smelling offering to your nostrils, as I rise above the trepidation of public opinion and live my passion for you out loud.
I let down all pretense and worship you today.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
