David Bahn – Reflections

John 12:1-8 (ESV)

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ² So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. ³ 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. ⁴ But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ⁵ “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” ⁶ 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. ⁷ Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. ⁸ For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Oh the things we do for love’s sake. A young man will spend thousands of dollars on an engagement ring for love’s sake. A young woman will give herself away and lay aside her future for love’s sake. A grandfather will take his whole family on a cruise for love’s sake. A grandmother will travel thousands of miles to be with her daughter at the birth of a child for love’s sake. A woman will spend nearly a year’s wages for a pint of nard, washing Jesus’ feet and drying them with her hair. Such an extravagant display of love!

Sometimes, though, the  engagement ring is not faithfully given or worn. Sometimes the woman is abused. Sometimes cruises become family disasters. Sometimes love’s extravagance is wasted and taken advantage of.

How important it is that our love be pure and the object of our love be worthy! Judas accused Mary of wasteful spending, and foolish extravagance. He implies that the poor are more needy and worthy of this attention and care. His motive, however, was less than pure.

While we must never ignore the poor, we must also remember that Jesus is worthy of every extravagance. And whatever we may do for him and his glory is not wasted.