Nothing Wasted on Jesus

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John 12:1–8

Six days before Passover, Jesus returned to Bethany and shared a meal with people He loved. Lazarus was sitting at the table—the same Lazarus who had recently walked out of a tomb. Martha was serving, and then Mary did something that got everyone’s attention. She took expensive perfume, poured it on Jesus’ feet, and wiped His feet with her hair. John tells us that “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

Judas immediately complained about the waste. Why wasn’t the perfume sold and the money given to the poor? John tells us Judas’ motives weren’t nearly as noble as they sounded, but his question still reveals something important. Judas looked at what Mary gave Jesus and saw waste. Mary looked at Jesus and saw someone worthy of everything she had.

That’s a question worth asking ourselves. What is Jesus worth to us? Our time? Our plans? Our comfort? Our resources? Our reputation? Mary wasn’t calculating the minimum amount of devotion Jesus deserved. She simply loved Him, and that love produced extravagant worship. Jesus even connected what she had done with His coming burial. Mary probably didn’t understand everything that was about to happen, but she gave Jesus her best while she had the opportunity.

And I love the detail John includes: the fragrance filled the house. Genuine devotion has a way of doing that. When someone truly loves Jesus, it rarely affects only that person. Their generosity, kindness, worship, forgiveness and love begin spreading into the lives around them.

Today’s thought: Am I giving Jesus what is convenient—or am I willing to give Him my best?

Circle up!