March 26, 2018
John 12:1-11 New Living Translation
I love our reading for today. Jesus’ dear friends are focused on bringing glory to God. Lazarus is given new resurrected life and cannot stop talking about it with everyone he meets. Martha is back in the kitchen serving others; using her gift of hospitality. Mary is extravagantly worshiping at the feet of Jesus.
However, at the very same time Satan is also focused on defeating Jesus. Judas is planning to betray the Messiah. Seekers are trying to decide if they believe the story about Lazarus. And, the chief priests are planning to kill Lazarus.
The Kingdom is advancing and increasing, but Satan still tries to hinder it. As you and I make progress in our relationship with Christ, we must expect some opposition. Stay strong in the power of His might. Stay the course and hold on to His righteousness. No weapon Satan forms against you can prosper; submit yourself to God, resist Satan, and he will flee.
John 12:1-11
12:1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
12:2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.
12:3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
12:4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,
12:5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”
12:6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)
12:7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.
12:8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
12:9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
12:10 So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well,
12:11 since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for putting praise on my lips and devotion in my heart. Be glorified! In Jesus’ name. Amen.