Leave Her Alone
John 12:1-11
Key Verse 7-8
“‘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.’”
In today’s passage we learn how Mary worshipped Jesus. It came from her deep heart of thankfulness and love for Him. Lazarus was the direct beneficiary of Jesus’ resurrection power. He was in the spot light. He was eating with Jesus. But how about Mary? Mary showed her love and respect to Jesus in the proper way. We also learn how Jesus accepted her act of worship and defended her even before many critics.
1. Look at vs. 1-3. When and where did this event occur? (1) How was this event related to the raising of Lazarus? (2) What was Lazarus and Martha doing? (2) What did Mary do and how was it so unusual? (3) Why do you think she did this?
Look at vs. 1-3.
ANSWER
“1 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 pintof 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.”
When and where did this event occur? (1)
ANSWER
* This event happened six days before the Passover at Bethany. Bethany was located at the east side about 2 miles apart from Jerusalem. The Jews celebrated the Passover because God had rescued the Israelites through the blood of a lamb. This time the Passover would be ‘celebrated’ by the slaying of the True Lamb of God, Jesus, whose blood would be shed to save all mankind.
How was this event related to the raising of Lazarus? (2)
ANSWER
* The dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Lazarus and Martha wanted to express their thanks to Jesus who raised Lazarus from the tomb. In Matthew 26:6 the dinner was prepared at the home of Simon, the Leper.
What was Lazarus and Martha doing? (2)
ANSWER
* Lazarus was sitting with Jesus at the table, enjoying sweet fellowship and food with Him. Martha on the other hand was serving dinner. This must have been her talent. She was joyfully serving Jesus and his disciples with many thanks.
What did Mary do and how was it so unusual? (3)
ANSWER
* Mary took about a pint of pure nard and poured it all on Jesus’ feet and then began to wipe his feet with her hair. Usually according to Jewish custom, the guests are provided with washing water to clean their feet. Their hair would be anointed with a couple drops of oil. Jewish woman at this time did not let down their hair in public. A pint of nard is very expensive (produced in Northern India), about $20,000 to $30,000 in US dollars. Perhaps she had been saving this perfume for her marriage, for the wedding night or as a dowry. This contrasts so sharply with the way in which Martha expressed her thanks and love toward Jesus. Martha’s act was very ‘practical’ and readily understandable and acceptable. But Mary’s act of worship was seen as a ‘waste’ and even ‘pointless’.
Why do you think she did this?
ANSWER
* Obviously, Mary demonstrated her deep devotion and love for the Savior. Perhaps she was not a good cook like her sister. But she wanted to give her very best to Jesus out of her thankful heart. In chapter 11, she could do nothing but cry and cry over the loss of her brother. But here she was soooo thankful. She must have worked hard from her teenage years to procure such expensive perfume. But since Jesus came into her heart and especially Jesus’ word of resurrection touched her heart and she witnessed Jesus’ love and power, Jesus became more precious to her than anything else in the world including her dream for marriage and sweet home. In the same way each of us have the experience of salvation grace through Jesus. When we were saved from our sins, we overjoyed and decided to love Jesus with our whole hearts. So she poured out her perfume without reservation. It was out of her thanks and confession of her love. According to Luke 7:47, her unusual love expression for Jesus stems from her personal thanks of Jesus’ sin forgiving grace for her. Also Jesus Himself will soon pour out His life blood without reservation to save all mankind from their sin and death. Although Mary did not intend it that way fully, it was well matched with that of Jesus who became the very(designated) Passover Lamb of God.
2. Read verses 4-6. Who was Judas Iscariot? (4,6) What did he say? (5) What was his real motive? (6) What does the author call him? (6) Why is our motive important? (4b; Jn.10:10a)
Read verses 4-6.
ANSWER
“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.”
Who was Judas Iscariot? (4,6)
ANSWER
* Judas Iscariot is one of disciples and the keeper of the money bag. Jesus entrusted him with the position as a treasurer. Jesus could have picked Matthew who used to be professional accountant for that position, but did not do so. Perhaps, Judas ‘volunteered’ for the position. His hometown was Judah while others came from Galilee. Jesus was very mindful for him and loved Him as well as He did the others.
What did he say? (5)
ANSWER
* He criticized what Mary did to Jesus, saying, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money give to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages”.
What was his real motive? (6)
ANSWER
According to the author’s comment, his heart and motive were not right. He hide his secret sin even using a religious facade(by mentioning the poor). One of the main themes of John’s gospel is light and darkness. Judas hid his darkness successfully from everyone. But he could not hide himself from Jesus.
What does the author call him? (6)
ANSWER
* “he was a thief.” This reminds us of the difference between Jesus, our Good Shepherd and ‘all those who came before Him…’
He had the mind of a thief. Romans 8:6 pointed out, “The mind of sinful man is death...” He had a sharp sense of financial value. At this juncture of time, he determined to go the opposite way from that of Jesus. He wanted to follow Jesus, but lose nothing. He followed Jesus to gain something ‘tangible’. It is kind of a crossroad between Jesus and Judas. Jesus laid down his life for the sheep. But Judas did not want to lose his life rather he was looking for selfish gain. Mary’s extravagant devotion and worship triggered his rebellion against the sacrificial way of God’s love.
Why is our motive important? (4b; Jn.10:10a)
ANSWER
* “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy”. (Jn. 10:10a) Whatever motive we may have, our thinking and actions follow. When conflict arises between what Jesus says and what we think, we better sit down and think about what is going on. Rather than being simply resentful, we can turn around from our worldly value system and realign ourselves to Him. In order to love others, there is always sacrifice and a seemingly wasting of money and time.
3. Look at vs. 7-8. How did Jesus reply and interpret her action? (7) How did Jesus relate her action to his burial? (7) What does verse 8 teach?
Look at verses 7-8.
ANSWER
“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.”
How did Jesus reply and interpret her action? (7)
ANSWER
* Jesus accepted her devotion and credited it as a part of God’s work of salvation. Mark 14:9 says, “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Jesus accepted her love! How wonderful it is! Sometimes we wonder what we are really doing. It seemed to us that it’s a total waste and going nowhere, especially after giving something wholeheartedly and not seeing any instant or visible results. Then we can become frustrated. But here we learn the fact that God accepts our heart’s desire and uses it for his glorious work for Jesus. The act itself is important. Even a glass of water is not forgotten.
How did Jesus relate her action to his burial? (7)
ANSWER
* Most probably Mary did not offer this nard because she realized He was to die soon, but Jesus accepted it and saw it as such. Every offering given to our Lord is not in vain and has a specific purpose and reason even if we do not always see and understand what it may be. Sometimes my sons will give me a gift because of their love for me. They don’t always know what to give, but when I receive it, I try to find how it can be most useful. My oldest son got me a tie because of my birthday. He liked it because he thought it was ‘cool’ and he thought I would look good in it. When I received it, I realized that I should wear it for Sunday Worship service in order to present myself ‘properly’ before the Lord to worship Him. His gift found its proper ‘place’. In the same way, Mary’s offering and act of worship found its proper place.
What does verse 8 teach?
ANSWER
* There have always been poor and there always will be poor. And it is a good thing to help them, but most importantly we must offer our best to our Lord Jesus, who is with us.
4. Look at vs. 9-11. Why did such a large crowd gather and many put their faith in Jesus? (9) What did the chief priests plan and how evil were they? (10)
Look at verses 9-11.
ANSWER
“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 putting their faith in him.”
Why did such a large crowd gather and many put their faith in Jesus? (9)
ANSWER
* A large crowd of Jews saw both Jesus and Lazarus together. This was remarkable because Lazarus had been put in the tomb and had died, but now here he was in the flesh, eating and dining with Jesus. No one had ever seen such a thing, so many put their faith in Jesus who raised Lazarus from the dead.
What did the chief priests plan and how evil were they? (10)
ANSWER
* They planned to kill Jesus as well as Lazarus. They remained as blind men. They chose to be the powerful instruments of the devil without acknowledging the work of God through Jesus Christ. They could have loved Jesus more than anyone else because there were given Bible knowledge first hand to know Jesus better and deeper. They not only wanted to kill Jesus, they now were expanding those they were willing to kill in order to protect their position and leadership. Caiaphas had counseled the religious leaders with the words, “You do not realize that it is better for you that ONE MAN DIE for the people than that the whole nation perish.” But now they were ready to kill a SECOND man, and perhaps if that didn’t work a THIRD or FOURTH and so on and so on. They were now full instruments in the hands of the enemy the devil, who came only to kill and destroy.
Conclusion: Jesus’ death was approaching less than a week. Jesus became God’s lamb to save us from sin and death. Jesus would soon pour out his lifeblood in an unusual and very extravagant way of love. However He could have been lonely among those who are so blind? Even His disciples were unaware of what is really coming. Jesus had to fight the good fight against all devil’s schemes among religious leaders. But Mary’s pouring her perfume was a great comfort and encouragement for him. “Leave her alone” “You will not always have Me”. Jesus protected her love and devotion in the world where pragmatism and materialism prevails in people’s hearts. In particular when Jesus fully accepted and gave credit to her deed of love, we are greatly relieved and confident about doing God’s work in this pragmatic and uncertain time. Nothing is more precious and valuable than giving our time, energy, money; OUR BEST, to Jesus and His salvation work.
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