A True Disciple

John 11:45-12:11 ESV

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Council and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish." He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?" Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.  For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."  When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

BACKGROUND

The religious leaders were afraid of Jesus's growing popularity. They were afraid that the Romans would dismantle the Jewish religious system. The Romans might see Jesus as a growing political power and decide to disperse the Jewish system as a result.

This story is one of contrasts. The striking contrast between Mary and Judas. Judas has all the trappings of a true Christian. He's in the original twelve. He's in a position of power. Mary does not.

Three marks of a true Christian

Humility

Mary was completely changed by her interaction with Jesus. So when they are throwing a thank-you party for Jesus, Mary does more. She buys this expensive perfume. She anoints his feet. Not his head, but his feet as an expression of reverence for Jesus. Feet were disgusting. Even servants might be demeaned by washing feet. And the hair, the glory of women, is used to wash the lowest part of God. It portrays a sense of how unworthy our service is compared to what God deserves. The best that Mary had to offer was less than what Christ deserved.

It is recognition that our best, our righteousness, and our goodness are filthy rags in the sight of God.  We are in need of the grace of God. Humility comes not from seeking to be humble but from seeing God. When we see God and then we see ourselves, we are humbled.

And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" - Isaiah 6:5 ESV

Mary spent a lot of time at the feet of Jesus. Is it any surprise that Mary is so humble?

Extravagant sacrifice

This perfumed ointment was a year's salary. It was probably a family heirloom. At today's price, it was probably 30 to 50 dollars. Not only that, but in those days perfume was in jars and once opened, it was done. You didn't dap it on. You broke the neck of the jar. Mary broke the neck of that perfume-filled jar and poured it all out on Jesus's feet. The perfume probably filled the entire house. The disciples were all shocked at the extravagance. Judas was the only one who could speak.

Jesus asks not for a year's wage. Not three years. But rather he's asking for our entire lives. And not just that, but he wants control over the entirely of our lives, every area. This looks foolish and crazy to the world.

Treasure Jesus

Judas brings up the ministry of the poor. Not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief. He wanted the money in the treasury so he could steal more of it.

This can enter our lives as well. We serve at the church for our own ends. We do the "Christian" thing because this can get us what we truly want. We can serve for personal reasons rather than because we treasure Christ.

Jesus says that treasuring him is better than serving the poor. This is not to say that serving the poor is bad. But treasuring Christ is much, much, much better.

Consider how calculated we are with our giving. We say that we are being wise in our giving. But is this really true? Or is this a cover for our hearts? Do we treasure Jesus above this life and all the things it gives us? Mary anointed Jesus as a way to recognize the kingship of Jesus. But she, unknowingly, was anointing him for his death.

John 12:24 ESV Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.