Daily Worship

Heart and Mind

April 10, 2017 0 0

John 12:1-9

Jesus anointed at Bethany

12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about half a litre of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[a]’ 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 ‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[b] but you will not always have me.’

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

If I were to have You round for dinner Jesus, would I be serving, or would I be sitting at the table?  I might be very nervous, actually talking to You in the flesh.  Oh I know, we talk every day – except of course, those days when I am so busy being busy, that I launch headlong into the day without taking time to be with You. But we do talk.  Yet I have a feeling You coming to dinner would be different.

So maybe I would be better serving You.  Then Your attention would be on the others at the table rather than on me. After all, I am quite good at serving; not so good at sitting.  But then again, whether I am sitting or serving, I cannot hide anything from You.  You know what is on my mind and in my heart.

What is in Your heart Jesus?  What was in Your heart as You headed towards the Cross?  You took time for others, but You also took time to be alone with the Father, even though You knew what lay ahead of You.  Maybe because of what You knew lay ahead of You.

Lord Jesus, help me to follow Your example, so I can stop this busy being busy.  Unlike Mary, I don’t have any expensive gifts to give You.  I only have myself.  Will that do?