John

Check out all the previous John readings here.

John Reading Plan | Week 15, Day 1

Prayer

As you spend time with Jesus, allow your mind and body to settle until you feel fully present. Ask Him to help you learn more about Him today.

Bible Reading: John 12:1-11

Read these verses three times slowly.

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.

Reflection & Questions

Our readings this week will be in John 12, and although this is the middle of the book of John, this is the beginning of Holy Week, the week of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It begins with a meal that “shouldn’t” have happened. Lazarus was dead but here he is at home with Mary and Martha, reclining at the table with Jesus. The joy in the house surely couldn’t have been greater. Martha may well have been singing while dancing around the kitchen preparing the food. Lazarus’ smile was likely ear to ear. And Mary, in her joy, decides it is time to break open the expensive perfume to wash Jesus’ feet, a truly devoted act (and had far more meaning than she realized as this was a preparation for His burial). Not everyone was happy though. Judas complains at the waste of money that could have been used for the poor. Jesus swiftly comes to Mary’s defense, “Leave her alone.” At the heart of Judas’ complaint was not the plight of the poor, because on the throne of his heart was money, not Jesus. He was “a thief”. If he had Jesus at the center, he would be worshipping and honoring the One who brought Lazarus back to life and he would have been delighted at Mary’s worship.

The chief priests are misery guts, too. Their jealousy is overflowing as people are flocking to see Jesus and Lazarus. Incredibly, they “made plans to kill Lazarus as well.” Instead of worshiping at the feet of the God-man who raised Lazarus from the dead, their sinful hearts are plotting murder, to put Jesus and Lazarus both in the grave.

As God does His work, there is little room to be on the fence. Either people will be filled with joy or they will be jealous. Worship and wonder or rebellion and rejection. Jesus doesn’t leave room for much else.

1. What word or phrase in these verses sticks out to you in these verses? Why?
2. Why do you think Jesus is so divisive in people’s responses to Him?

Prayer

Pray in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

---

Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.

Questions?