Prepared for Death

What would you do if you knew the date and time you would die? How differently would you live your life? Would the events of your life, even the ordinary day to day ones, take on a new or different meaning? That is the situation we explore today. The final week of Jesus’ life, He had an experience that was meaningful to Him in ways it could not be for those around Him.

John 12:1-12 NIV) “Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 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. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 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. 7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

9 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. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

(Matthew 26:6-13 NIV) "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. 9 "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.""

Digging Deeper

1. Read John 12:3-8 and Mark 14:3-9. Now read Luke 7:37-50. Is the passage in Luke the same event or a different event? What is similar about each of these (make a list)? What are the differences? What is/are the lesson(s) or life application(s) for us from the John account? From the Luke account?

2. Compare John 12:8 with Matthew 28:20. Explain the apparent contradiction. Now read the following statements by Jesus: John 8:21; 12:8; 12:35; 13:33; 14:3-4; 16:5-7. In each of these statements Jesus says He is going to go away. See if you can determine in each context and statement who He is speaking to (His audience – believers, Jews, disciples, etc.); why He is going away; what will happen because He is going away; and what action He is expecting from the audience by telling them He is going away. How can we live out those same expectations in our lives today?

3. In both cases the woman anointed Jesus as an expression of their love for Him. Why did they love Him so deeply? (See John 11:1-5; 11:39-44; 12:1-8 for the first anointing; see Luke 7:36-50 for the second). Why do you love Jesus (assuming you do!)? How can you show your love for Him in your life today (since you can’t physically anoint His feet!)? What ways might you show your love for Him that would be that costly?

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