John 11:55-12:10

John 11:55-12:10

55 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 So they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might seize Him.

1 Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” 6 Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. 7 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. 8 “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

9 The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.

As the popularity of Jesus grew amongst the people; the hatred of Him grew amongst the Pharisees.  It was the time of Passover and many Jews were migrating towards Jerusalem to celebrate this most important of religious festivals.  As this event approaches, we see several different responses towards Jesus in this text.  People continue to respond to Jesus in a variety of different ways.

THE PLOT TO SEIZE JESUS: As the crowds began to gather in Jerusalem for Passover, they were on the lookout for Jesus.  There were rumors circulating that He would make an appearance in Jerusalem.  These rumors had the Pharisees on high alert because they were looking for an opportunity to seize Jesus.  Clearly, they had offered to reward those who would help them take Jesus into custody.  This would not be an easy task for several reasons.  First, Jesus had the tendency to simply “melt” away into the crowd.  Second, He was always surrounded by multitudes of people who considered Him to be anything from a great prophet to the promised Messiah.  Any attempt to seize Him would be difficult to execute without starting a riot.  The Pharisees start a plot that they share with some select people who will look for opportunities to take a bribe in order help take Jesus away with minimum exposure.  The love of money and lust for power will motivate people to do some terrible things.  

THE PERFUME TO ANOINT JESUS: On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus and the disciples stopped to visit with Lazarus whom Jesus had previously raised from the dead.  This was clearly a special family to the Lord.  Per usual, Martha was busy serving Jesus and the disciples.  However, she appears to be serving more contentedly this time as she does not complain at the lack of help.  Mary is also at her normal place; sitting at the feet of Jesus.  This time she takes her worship to an entirely new level by anointing His feet with a costly perfume and then drying His feet off with her hair.  This perfume was valued at 300 days wages.  Judas criticizes such extravagance claiming it would have been more prudent to sell the perfume, so the money could have been given to the poor.  John adds his editorial to the narrative by making it clear that Judas was a thief and wanted to get his hands on this money.  Jesus then makes it clear that this act of worship was actually an anointing of His being prepared for burial.  Each person is fulfilling an important ministry.  Martha is serving the table to meet everyone’s physical needs.  Martha is worshiping, and Jesus is revealing the truth about His future death.  Jesus cultivated deep relationships with people and enjoyed eating and drinking with this family.  Would Jesus find such a welcome in our homes?  Hospitality and relationships are virtues that Jesus honored and calls us to model today.

THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVED IN JESUS: The crowds began to gather around the house of Lazarus.  Jesus was the main attraction, but others came to see Lazarus because he had been raised from the dead.  Many who came believed in Jesus as result of what they heard and saw.  It is clear that Lazarus took advantage of his experience of being resurrected to testify of the glory of Jesus.  Too often, we accept celebrity status for ourselves when the only true Celebrity in the universe is Jesus.  His testimony was likely: “I was just a dead guy lying in a tomb when at the word of Jesus, I was made alive.”  Then he would point the people to Jesus.  His testimony was so effective that the religious leaders were trying to kill Lazarus in order to prevent others from following Jesus.  Our own testimony of the work of God in our lives is one of the most powerful tools we have for evangelizing others.  We must be faithful to speak to others of Jesus and all He has done in our lives.

APPLICATION: Protect our hearts from the desire to become rich and powerful.  Open our homes to the servants of God as a place of rest and refreshment.  Enjoy relationships and deepen friendships in and effort to draw closer to God.  Faithfully testify of God’s work in our lives so others might believe in Jesus.  Don’t allow the fear of man to shut our mouths.