John 12:1-11: Show Jesus Extravagant Love. Monday of the Holy Week

Breakfast With the Word Monday of the Holy Week

 

John 12:1-11

 

 

 

 

Extravagant simply means spending too much or using too much of anything. It sometimes involves going to the extreme at a point it becomes unreasonable. It is something that costs a lot.

 

 

In John 12:1-11 Mary shows us how our love for Jesus should be. In John 12:1-11 Mary showed Jesus a love that in the face of observers looks unreasonable, an action that’s quite costly and a gesture that looks so unthinkable but in the face of Jesus was quite admirable. Our love for Jesus should be extravagant, costly and might look unreasonable in the face of people. Our love for Jesus should surround everything we do.

 

 

 It costs Mary Financially.

 

 

Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious” Nard is imported from India, which in part accounts for its expense. The perfume is worth three hundred denarii, which is a year’s wages for a workingman.

 

This does not indicate that Mary is wealthy, as some have suggested. This is more likely an extravagant gesture by a woman of ordinary means. It is a sacrificial offering. Beloved, never look back if you want to do anything for God.

 

Mary’s expensive anointing looks forward to the anointing by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who will use one hundred litras of myrrh and aloes (John 19:38-40) an anointing fit for a king. To show how expensive the death of Jesus is and how we are going to reward Him back with such love.

 

 

 It Costs Mary Her Pride.

 

In John 12:1-11, Mary “anointed the feet of Jesus” Anointing the feet is a humble gesture. The care of another person’s feet is a task reserved for the lowliest of servants.

 

Therefore, let us not forget Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet in John 13 and instructing the disciples to do the same for each other ( John 13:14-15) a sign of Humility.

 

Mary also “ wiped his feet with her hair”. This is a shocking gesture in a culture where women do not let their hair down in the presence of any man other than their husband.

 

Therefore, Our love of Jesus should cost us our pride. There is no big man in the presence of God. Do not feel we are heaven and earth.

 

In the presence of God forget who you are and be humble. Michal criticized David in 2 Samuel 6 for dancing before the Lord and David answered her “Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes” in verse 23 Michal remained childless all the days of her life. Humble yourself before the Lord.

 

 

 It Costs Mary Her Reputation.

 

 

While Mary was anointing the feet of Jesus, people like Judas and other apostles as was reported in Matthew 26 and Mark 14 criticized Mary. But that didn’t stop her.

 

When we try to fully involve ourselves in the things of God, some people will make a joke about it, some will continue to crucify us, some will always put our reputation on the line.

 

Never allow any stop you. If the love we show Jesus has not cost us anything then we have not started. It might cost you time, finance, and resources but do not bother and do not give up. Jesus admires every single effort we make for the love of Him. The love of Jesus should be an extravagant and limitless one.

 

 

May God bless you dearest and give you the grace to continually come close to Him Amen