In our reading last week, after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he escaped to Ephraim—but the time was close enough to the Passover that many Jews had already come to Jerusalem. John recorded the exact point in the timeline for this scene: six days before the Passover, Jesus returned to Lazarus’s house in Bethany.
Read John 12:1-3.
- He knew he would celebrate this Passover with his disciples in the upper room.
- Apparently, Jesus also wanted to spend time with these dear friends during his final days.
- Martha served (again). Perhaps she now recognized and felt more comfortable in her gifting.
- Which Mary? Lazarus’s sister1, who earlier sat at Jesus’ feet.
- Earlier she showed devotion by listening to Jesus.
- Once we’ve listened and assimilated Jesus’ words in to our hearts and lives, we’ll spend all we have for that pearl of great price.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:44-46).
How would you describe the pearl of great price, the kingdom of heaven?
What would we be willing to give up to gain such a precious treasure?
Read John 12:4-11.
- Judas would betray Jesus, causing him to be seized and arrested.2
- Judas kept the money bag for the disciples, and he objected to Mary’s costly offering.
- John (with divine insight) noted Judas cared only for himself3; he did not care about the poor or good stewardship of the disciples’ money. He wanted to preserve what he considered his personal funds.
- Judas made his objection sound good: think how many poor people a year’s wages could help.
- The poor described here were those who lacked life’s necessities, beggars, completely dependent on others.4
- Judas was a thief who committed fraud in secret.5
- Jesus accepted Mary’s offering as preparation for his burial, as one would embalm a corpse.6
- She saw beyond what human knowledge could know.
- Jesus spoke also of the future, when he would no longer walk among the disciples on earth.
- Those who walked with Jesus, loved him, and served him during his earthly ministry had limited opportunity to honor him in unique ways.
- News spread. People again knew where to find Jesus.
- They came to see the one who reportedly raised the dead, and to see for themselves the dead man brought back to life.
- The chief priests deliberately resolved and planned to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus.
If they disposed of the source of the gossip, perhaps they could also eliminate the threat. - Let’s not overlook verse 11!
- Because of the Word, many believed, a key theme in John’s message.
“Therefore (when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead) many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him” (John 11:45).
- Jesus is Lord over death, and his resurrection was the final victory!
How do you envision the experience if you were there with Jesus, Mary, and Lazarus?
How do you think you would have reacted?
What might have been at the heart of Judas betraying Jesus?
How can we honor Jesus today?
- Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (AMG Publishers, 1992), 944.
- Bible Hub. https://biblehub.com/greek/3860.htm
- Zodhiates, 957.
- Zodhiates, 1253.
- Zodhiates, 866.
- Zodhiates, 593.