Some had seen it with their own eyes. Lazarus was dead and in his tomb for four days. Then Jesus raised him from the dead. Not sure what to think about the whole thing, they went to the Pharisees to tell them what happened.
The Pharisees called a meeting with the chief priests to discuss the matter. They were concerned that if more people followed Jesus, the Romans would take away their position of power.
“You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish,” declared Caiaphas, the high priest.
The council agreed. Jesus must die. Now they had to figure out how to make that happen. Passover was very soon. Surely Jesus would be in Jerusalem for the feast. The council put the word out that if anyone knew where Jesus was-they should report his whereabouts. They would seize the man as soon as possible. Yes, this one man should die. For the benefit of the people.
Mary smiled as she glanced toward her brother Lazarus. Her heart filled with gratitude once again that he was alive. She helped Martha prepare for a special supper. Jesus was coming back to Bethany. Since Passover was less than a week away, Jesus and his disciples would be there soon. It was always special to have Jesus back, but this night would be a celebration. She would honor Jesus for the amazing miracle of giving life back to her brother.
Mary served the food as Jesus, his disciples, and Lazarus reclined around the table. She would wait until Jesus was done eating before she gave him the gift. Mary had saved her whole life to possess a pound of perfume. But nothing was more valuable than the life of her brother. It seemed only right to give this gift to Jesus-the One who had given her back her brother.
Mary went to get the perfume. She sat at the feet of Jesus and opened the vial. Immediately the scent filled the air. The noisy chatter ceased and gave way to silence. Mary looked at the feet of Jesus. They were rough from walking miles and miles and miles to bring the good news of salvation and peace to their people. Mary poured every drop of the expensive liquid over the beautiful feet of Jesus. She wiped His feet with her hair. Her heart swelled with love for Jesus, and with gratefulness for what He had done for her family.
“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” the voice of Judas cut through the silence.
Mary’s head jerked up to look at Judas. Had she had done the wrong thing? Maybe Jesus would have had her donate money to help the poor, rather than honor Him in this way. A flush of embarrassment rushed to Mary’s face. She tried to blink back the tears that filled her eyes.
“Let her alone, in order 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,” said Jesus.
It seemed Judas, the treasurer of the group, was concerned about the poor. No one knew yet that Judas took a little money for himself occasionally.
But Jesus knew the truth. Judas had already decided to betray Jesus.
Carla Killough McClafferty