John 12:1-6: a reflection

1Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. 3Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. 4Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said, 5“Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.

Six days before the Passover, at a supper in Bethany, Mary takes a pound of pure nard, an ointment of great value, and pours it out on Jesus' feet, wiping them with her hair, until the whole house is filled with its fragrance. It is an act of lavish, extravagant devotion, a costly treasure poured out on Jesus without reserve. But Judas objects: Why was this not sold and the money given to the poor? He masks his greed as concern, John tells us, for he was a thief. Extravagant love meets calculating criticism.

Notice the contrast the scene draws. Mary gives without calculation, pouring out something costly in sheer devotion to Jesus, holding nothing back. Judas calculates, counting the cost, disguising his own selfishness as prudence, unable to understand a love that would pour out something so precious. One heart worships; the other reckons. And Jesus defends Mary's extravagance against the calculation that would have restrained it.

That contrast searches our own hearts. There is a calculating spirit that meets wholehearted devotion to God with the question, isn't this excessive? couldn't it be spent more sensibly? And there is Mary's spirit, that pours out its best on Christ without counting the cost, because he is worth it. When you are moved to give lavishly to God, your time, your resources, your love, do not let the calculating voice, whether others' or your own, talk you out of it. Be like Mary, not Judas. Some devotion is not meant to be measured and rationed but poured out. Give your best to Christ without reserve; he is worthy of extravagant love.

Lord Jesus, Mary poured out her costly ointment on you in extravagant devotion, holding nothing back, while Judas calculated and criticized, masking greed as prudence. Search my heart for which spirit is mine. Keep me from the calculating voice that meets wholehearted devotion with the question, isn't this excessive? Give me Mary's heart, that pours out its best on you without counting the cost, because you are worth it. When I am moved to give lavishly to you, my time, my resources, my love, help me not to let calculation talk me out of it. You are worthy of extravagant love; teach me to give you my best without reserve.