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John 12:1-12
We are beginning to see the turn in direction of Jesus’ ministry. It’s not quite time and yet there is a definite turn towards the cross for Jesus here. And usually when we read this particular passage we concentrate on simply three characters: Jesus, Mary, and Judas. Let’s take a look.
John 12:1-11 (NIV) Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 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.
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 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.
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
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. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
Now that we read this looking for them, you can see that there are more characters here in this drama we see than just Jesus, Mary, and Judas.
First, there is Lazarus and his testimony to others. The chief priests who are scheming with the Sanhedrin to put Jesus to death are here. Now when we focus on this passage we should see one main character – Jesus, and other supporting characters – who in their own part bring a lesson to us. Even Judas and the chief priests have something to teach us.
Focusing on Mary, we see the absolute generosity of what she did and a reflection of the extravagant sacrifice Jesus is going to make for all of humanity. Or as John put it earlier in 3:16, whosoever would believe in Him will have everlasting life.
When you look at Judas, and knowing what he does here, and what he does in the future, it’s easy to simply think that maybe he didn’t actually follow Jesus because He thinks Jesus is the Messiah – he has other motives here. And frankly, after reading this passage, I do question his motives. This entire time, as the Scripture reveals, he had been helping himself to the bank account.
Then there is a crowd of people. And I find it interesting that they come around, not only to see and hear Jesus, but also to see if what they have heard about Lazarus is true. Did Jesus bring him back to life? They want to see and hear about the miracle.
And it’s in this last two verses of this passage, that I believe we see something maybe we haven’t seen before.
John 12:10-11 (NIV) So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
And here it is once again, we are faced with a choice. Do we believe in Jesus as our Savior, do we believe in Jesus to the point of being saved from sin and hell? Many in the crowd of people did. That was why the chief priests were making plans to kill Jesus. And now, because Lazarus was living proof, his life is jeopardy as well.
But it takes me back and I have to ask myself, what does it take to change my heart, what does it take to change your heart? These people saw the proof and their hearts changed to the point that it more than worried the religious leaders of the day. Let me leave you with this, do we let Jesus change us in that same way today?