John 12:1-11

The Harmony of the Gospels should give comfort to us knowing that  all things happen for a higher purpose. We need to rest in the knowledge that the Lord cares for those who place their trust in Him and their lives are orchestrated by Him. The love and mercy that we show others should reflect our gratitude for the love and mercy we have been shown by God. When we hold up Christ others will be drawn to Him.

If Jesus’ crucifixion took place on a Friday, this dinner occurred during the evening of the previous Saturday. The inhabitants of Bethany wished to express their thanks to Jesus, who by a glorious miracle had honored their obscure village. Lazarus was the guest of honor. Anointing Jesus’ head was an act of honor; anointing His feet was a display of devotion. The ultimate motivation for wanting to kill Lazarus was that because of him many were believing in Jesus.

John 12:1-11

12 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. ² There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. ³ Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 

⁴ But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, ⁵ “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” ⁶ This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. 

⁷ But Jesus said,  “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. ⁸ For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” 

⁹ Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, ¹¹ because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.