Day 12

John 12 brings us to six days before the Passover. Jesus was at dinner in Bethany alongside his disciples, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. As Martha served, Mary did something unexpected. She took expensive perfume and poured it over the feet of Jesus. Judas was quick to speak up, calling it a waste and saying that it could have been used to help the poor. But Jesus defended her, saying that Mary's act was far more significant than anyone may have realized. It was rich with meaning on two levels. First, it was an anointing for burial, a foreshadowing of the death that was drawing near, as the religious leaders were already conspiring against his life. Second, it was an anointing of Jesus as King, a title the crowds would proclaim the next day as he rode through the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey. What looked like a wasteful act of devotion was quietly declaring everything about who Jesus was and what he had come to do.

Prayer
God, thank you for being both our Savior and our King. Help us to be like Mary and take all that we have—even when it doesn’t seem like much—to use in devotion to you. We are so thankful that even though we don’t deserve you, you are still the God who saves! Amen.