Honoring Jesus with What We Have (John 12:1–11)
In John 12:1–11, we read a powerful story about love, worship, and how people responded to Jesus—some with devotion, others with jealousy.
A Dinner for Jesus
The story begins six days before the Passover, the time when Jesus would soon give His life for the world. Jesus comes to the town of Bethany, where His friend Lazarus lived. Lazarus was the man Jesus had raised from the dead (John 11), and now he’s alive and well.
To celebrate, a dinner is held in Jesus’ honor. Martha is serving the food, and Lazarus is sitting at the table with Jesus. It’s a picture of friendship and thankfulness.
Mary’s Gift
During the meal, Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, does something surprising and beautiful. She takes a jar of expensive perfume—made of pure nard—and pours it on Jesus’ feet. Then, she wipes His feet with her hair.
The whole house fills with the sweet smell of the perfume.
This was a huge act of love and worship. That perfume was worth about a year’s wages. Mary gave Jesus something very valuable, not because she had to, but because she loved Him deeply. She wanted to honor Him in the best way she could.
Criticism from Judas
But not everyone was happy. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples (and the one who would later betray Him), complained. He said, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?”
That might sound like a good point—but John tells us Judas didn’t really care about the poor. He was in charge of the group’s money, and he often stole from it.
Jesus gently tells Judas to leave Mary alone. “She has kept this for the day of My burial,” He says. Jesus knows His time is short. Mary may not understand everything yet, but her act of love points forward to His death and burial.
A Divided Crowd
Meanwhile, many people are coming to see Jesus—and also Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead. Because of this, more people are believing in Jesus.
But the religious leaders are upset. They’re even planning to kill Lazarus, because his life is leading people to follow Jesus.
What Can We Learn?
This short passage teaches us a lot:
- Mary gave what she had to honor Jesus. It was costly, but she didn’t hold back. When we love Jesus, we can honor Him by giving Him our best—our time, our talents, our worship.
- Judas focused on money and appearances. Sometimes people talk like they care, but their hearts are in the wrong place. Jesus sees through that.
- Jesus accepted Mary’s gift and protected her. He welcomes our love, even if others don’t understand it.
- Following Jesus can bring division. Lazarus’s life was a testimony, and it made people either believe or get angry. When we follow Jesus, not everyone will like it—but we can still stand firm.
Let’s ask ourselves: Are we like Mary, giving our best to Jesus with love? Or are we like Judas, pretending to care while holding back our hearts?
No matter where we are, Jesus invites us to come close, believe in Him, and live a life that honors Him.
John 12:1-11 (WEB)
12:1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. 3 Therefore 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.4 Then 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?” 6 Now 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.7 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.”9 A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.