Seeing the glory of God
Day 680, Monday, June 22
John Chapter 11 – 12:11
Today we meet a family—two sisters and a brother—who are close to Jesus’s heart. In chapter 11 we read of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. In the beginning of chapter 12 we read John’s account of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with perfume.
Both of those incidents are familiar to most Christians, so I’d like to draw attention to a couple of other things.
In 11:25-26, Jesus responds to a statement from Martha by saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives be believing in me will never die.” Later, Jesus says to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Both of those statement occur before the raising of Lazarus. Marthat has already stated her belief in a future resurrection of the dead “at the last day.” Jesus goes beyond affirming her belief in the future resurrection by claiming that he himself is the resurrection. It is belief in him that guarantees eternal life.
The raising of Lazarus isn’t just about protecting a friend from earthly death (Lazarus will eventually die as all people do), but it is a witness that the power of resurrection lies in Jesus. He is the pathway to God.
After Lazarus is raised and Mary pours expensive perfume over Jesus’s feet, Judas Iscariot objects to what she has done. “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages?”
Admittedly, he has a point.
Jesus’s response sounds harsh. “Leave her alone. 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.”
His words call to mind a passage in Deuteronomy, but seem to almost contradict it. Deuteronomy 15:10-11 says, “Give generously to [the poor among your fellow Israelites] and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.”
Giving to the poor is an ongoing need. Mary’s extravagance in this case is not a prideful display of wealth; it is a heartfelt response to having seen the glory of God.
It is right for us to look at her act and ask ourselves if that is the course we should follow in responding to having seen the glory of God. It is not right, though, to judge how someone else responds to it.
It’s easy to look at other Christians and at other churches and question how they prioritize using their resources and time. If that questioning leads us to be more responsible in our own stewardship, it’s a good thing. If it leads us to judge and condemn someone else, it’s a bad thing.
Monday meditation
Psalms 147:10-20
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Extol the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion.
He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws.
Praise the Lord.
Prayer focus
Give us generous hearts, Lord, and protect us from the temptation to judge the hearts of others.
-Rev. Mark Fleming