What does it mean to be anointed? Growing up, I mostly heard it used in a metaphorical sense, like when you want to describe a particularly beautiful solo of a hymn that’s a little too high for most of us. (“Did you hear her sing? Wow, she’s anointed!”) And then there are people in many Christian traditions who wouldn’t think twice about dabbing a little olive oil on someone as they pray, a physical, tactile practice of symbolic weight. But as we see in today’s readings, anointing carries a rich tradition behind it, and all throughout Scripture it’s a tangible way to set someone or something apart for a holy purpose.
From our perspective, this story of Mary anointing Jesus feels like a story about extravagant, impractical worship. “Then Mary took a pound of perfume, pure and expensive nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3). Judas gripes about this foolish woman’s wastefulness. Jesus comes to her defense, honoring her actions as beautiful.
I know for most of my life, I thought the lesson I should get from this story was, “Look at how freely Mary gives her worship! You should do that too!” But if I’m honest, there’s a little bit of my reserved, practical self that wonders if maybe Judas has a point. (Just a little bit. We all know he’s the bad guy here.) Dig a little deeper, and questions start to surface. Why perfume? Why all of it, and not just a tasteful dab? Everything about this moment feels so lavish and impractical, and if I were in Mary’s shoes, I know I’d feel ashamed for being so extra.
Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t see it that way at all. He sees how Mary overflows with gratitude to her teacher, her friend, the healer who elevates her at every turn and raised her beloved brother from death. Her response echoes the work of her ancestors, who lavished their most expensive fragrant oils on priests, and instruments and altars (Exodus 30:23–33). In her world, this kind of anointing was kept for only the most sacred tasks. What could be more sacred than the anointing Jesus carried: “to bring good news to the poor…to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives…to give them…festive oil instead of mourning” (Isaiah 61:1–3)?
“Leave her alone,” the Anointed One admonishes Judas as the perfume drips from Him. “She has kept it for the day of my burial” (John 12:7). In this moment—while the plot to kill him builds to a crescendo, before He rides into Jerusalem on a humble donkey, as He continues to walk toward His destiny in Jerusalem—perhaps the gift of Mary’s anointing is the scent of courage.
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75 thoughts on "The Anointed One"
This is absolutely wonderful! I praise the lord!
It made me reflect on what I reserve my efforts and time on for Jesus. ❤️
Wow that was a really deep reflection on that passage. Thank you
What a great teaching. I pray that I can worship God with all I have and set Him apart in all I do and in my life. Holy Spirit, help me to always be aware of the presence of Jesus in my life.
Yes, I absolutely loved that connection to Exodus and of course had never noticed that before!
Mary and her alabaster box to annoit the savior to be in his presence glory to God!
❤️
I love that this passage of John was connected with the passage from Exodus. When talking about the the anointing oil, it is clear that it is only intended for those marked as holy. Here we see Mary pouring not a dab, but ALL of the perfume for the most holy of holy. What a beautiful image!
I’m noticing details about Mary in John that I never noticed before. In 11:20, when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went & met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Why?! Forgive me Lord if I’m reading too much into this. Was she disappointed that Jesus had come 2-4 days after they called for Him? Was she so absorbed in her own grief/mourning that she wasn’t quite ready to face Jesus? Was she upset w/ Jesus, inwardly blaming him for her dear brothers death? Yet in 11:28-29, after her sister tells her that Jesus was calling for her, she still rose quickly & went to Him. I love that she went to meet Jesus in her grief, mourning, & pain. She went to Him as she was. There was nothing for her to fix or rectify beforehand. In v. 32, she falls at his feet, as she does in today’s passage, weeping that if He had been there, her brother wouldn’t have died. Notice that Martha pretty much says the exact same phrase in 11:21-22, yet she adds on that whatever Jesus asks of God, God will do. Did Mary’s grief/mourning lead her to question the deity of Jesus? In today’s passage, we see Mary at Jesus’ feet as a changed woman! The miracle she witnessed has changed her heart & led her to worship at his feet! He receives her now as He did before. Now, she’s before His feet having had witnessed the miracle of Jesus giving new life (physical & spiritual). I do believe that in the same way Jesus restored Lazarus’ physical self, He was also restoring his (as well as his 2 sisters) spiritual self, drawing them all to the One who gives new life for His own glory! Amen! Praise be to God for His Word!
The fact that they wanted to kill Lazarus because of his impact on people following Jesus is so interesting. It kind of foreshadows the church’s future persecution
I admire Mary’s love for Jesus.
The scent of courage.
Praying for you and your family Ashley ❤️
❤️
Please pray for my husband as he’s fighting the COV!d crud. Prayers for his walk with the Lord as well.
@Lynne from Alabama
@Ashley
Praying with you for God’s strength and healing in your situations.
@Lynne from Alabama
@Ashley
@Lynne from Alabama
Ashley, praying for strength, protection and healing for you and your family
Praying for your husband, Lynne!
Mary had such a close relationship with Jesus. As her gratitude for him overflowed, she spared no expense to show him. I don’t know if she knew that she was preparing Jesus for his burial, but Jesus did. I can’t help but wonder if this moment provided him some reassurance from the Father.
“Hosanna!” That scene of fellow followers with palm tree branches gives me shivers. What a moment. Imagine. I can hear them and am crying out with them.
Thank you so much sweet SRT sisters! I knew I could count on you to be praying for my husband and his surgery. Claire B: you asked what hospital and it’s the Outpatient Care Services from Saint Vincents
I’m praying with you Lynne! May God grant you peace, be with you husband and those caring for him, and bring healing in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Lynne, you’ve got it. UAB Birmingham? Claire from Alabama
LYNNE FROM ALABAMA
Praying for both you and for your husband as he undergoes surgery Wednesday the 26th. Praying for the surgeons that they may be successful and praying for you and for your husband that you will rely on God for His will to be done
Good evening. My little family has been hit hard with Covid—all 5 of us have tested positive within the last 2 days. With some very vulnerable people in our home, we have had to be extremely careful for the past 2 years. My husband is a cancer survivor, my tiny guy has Down syndrome, and I have been asthmatic since childhood. The possibilities for complications are scary, but we’re trusting God to sustain and protect us. Unfortunately, I’ve been hit the hardest. As a nurse and a mama, it’s so hard being sidelined when my people need me. Please pray for us.
Lynne, you have our thoughts, prayers and hugs. May God watch over you and bring you peace and healing. In Jesus name we pray.
Dear She’s…Your comments on today’s devotional were a delight to read & mediate upon throughout the day. Someone described Mary’s anointing Jesus’ feet as “simple & self surrendering”; another an expression of “lavish love”; and another, “Jesus poured everything of Himself out for our redemption”. Two other things in John 12 stayed with me. First, to ponder: v. “3..So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume”. To think how it lingered & permeated the room, alighting & engulfing as a Holy Spirit. Who hasn’t been transported in memory by a special someone ( for me, my mother) whose special perfume love & light ever hangs in the air. Those moments are of God. The second, perplexingly, is v. 8, “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me”. Some have used the first part of the sentence to justify & absolve themselves of genuine care for the less fortunate. I don’t agree with that “matter-of-factness but I don’t have a quick rejoinder. Maybe I should just keep reading & rereading & remembering He came with the Good News for every human circumstance & condition. Thanks be to God
Lynne, praying for you that God will calm your fears, surround you with His love and grant you peaceful rest.
Praying, Lynne! Keep us updated!
The scent of courage…I love that wording and thought!
Amen
Lynne, Praying for your husband Jack. Praying for peace for both of you and the doctors hands performing the surgery.
HEIDI – Your comment really helped me. I have also thought how can I share?? I won’t have the answers to the questions that might come my way. This is a perfect way to look at it. Just share what He means to me. My story!
JENNIFER LOVES JESUS – Our wrote your words in my notes!
RHONDA J – Thank you, thank you. Your words directed to me were beautiful. Sometimes I feel that I’m not grieving enough. Although I find I cry in the middle of the night. Last night was a perfect example of this. True sob filled cries. At one point as I was begging God not take Tanner from me and then I realized He gave His only son. Who am I to think that I should be spared from this trial.
I keep thinking what would it have been like to walk during Jesus days on earth. Would I have believed in Him?? He didn’t always speak clearly. We have the whole picture. I would like to think that I would have followed. I like verses 12:35 – 36 Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where He’s going. 36While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become children of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them. Please dear Lord, let me believe in Your light!
Good morning, SRT sisters! I have a prayer need and I know that I can depend on you guys to lift it up! My wonderful hubby Jack has a cancerous tumor on his salivary gland. He is having surgery this coming Wednesday the 26th to have it removed along with all the lymph nodes around it. It is a very delicate surgery because of all the nerves and arteries around it. We are praying that it isn’t lymphoma. He is quite anxious about it. I have been a part of SRT for about four years. I pray over the requests but seldom comment. I would really appreciate your prayers, you prayer warriors! Thank you in advance! :)
“Look, the world has gone after him!” Amen and let it be so.
In John 9:4-5, when He healed the blind man, Jesus said, “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Here in John 12:35-36, Jesus says, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
I think John, as the author, and Jesus, as the speaker, are contrasting Mary against Judas in verses 35-36. Mary recognizes that the light (Jesus) is only going to be with them a little while longer, so she is walking in the light by pouring out everything that she has for Jesus (literally). Judas has been overtaken by darkness and he does not know where he is going. Jesus knows where Judas is going—John has been indicating that throughout his gospel. John, as author, will be covering the first steps of Judas’ betrayal in the very next chapter. Judas doesn’t seem to know where he is going, so he is not walking in the light of Jesus.
This raises the question for me, “Am I walking in the light?” No, I don’t have Jesus here in the world with me, but Christ dwells in me by His Holy Spirit. I am only in this world for a certain time. Am I walking fully in the light and doing the works of Him who sent me, maximizing the time that He has given me? Am I pausing in the darkness of my own temptations or am I believing in the light? In any given moment, does my heart look more like Mary’s or Judas’?
Lisa May- thank you for sharing your thoughts. I had a moment today where it struck me that I needed to get going. I need to get going on whatever it is that I’m going to do to serve the downtrodden because we only have this one life, and we have no idea when it will end. I’ve been waiting for God to show me how I can serve Him, and he has shown me some ways, but it hasn’t been anything that has made me say, “oh this is it!” I’m still listening and also eager to serve.
Amen
So many good thoughts on anointing. But what I found equally interesting is that Jesus who knows the heart of men gave Judas “a thief”charge of the groups money. He didn’t remove a source of temptation but intentionally provided opportunities for Judas to overcome his sin nature. Instead Judas continued to nurture his sin by stealing from his fellow disciples. I am baffled by his actions considering “Who” he traveled with and all he witnessed. Lots to think about in today’s reading.
I had never noticed what an affront to the Jews Lazarus’ resurrection was until today.
I love the final thought in the devotional—that perhaps the fragrance of Mary’s anointing gave Jesus courage as he faced his final week. Surely his humanity needed encouragement, just as we do. ❤️
I can’t help but think about Lazarus’ testimony (and those of Mary and Martha). I can imagine them saying “He was dead and brought to life”- this time without mud or washing in a pool but by Jesus simply saying “Come Out”!! Wow!! No wonder the Jews wanted to kill Lazarus too- no wonder Mary felt led to anoint Jesus!! Yet I wonder why even after EVERYTHING he’d seen-that Judas Iscariot still betrayed Jesus? How often do I do that? I’ve seen God heal, protect, provide peace and so much more yet I am still selfish and judgmental. Lord heal my heart! Help me to TRUST you!!
I am reminded that John’s slant in his writing was to promote faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Salvation had come and He was walking around in sandals with them! These are not just cool stories, they are meant to encourage growth from seeds. I love the seed packet displays in the garden centers. But Jesus teaches, referring to the grain of wheat that must die, He had to leave our sight, be put to death, buried in the ground, before emerging with a fruitful harvest. Our beautiful Savior had to be marred beyond recognition. The people wanted a king to worship, but He came to change them. To change us. The cute little seed packets have to be opened and poured out to grow. Collecting them doesn’t do any good except for the initial satisfaction of gathering them. Father God, change me and grow a fruitful harvest from my life. Let my prayers be active as seeds in working with you in the fields of Your choosing. Use the pain to deepen the richness of the soil in my heart to grow goodness for You. Show me how to pour out my life for You. Let Your light shine through me in the darkness. Grow fruit from me for the benefit of the hungry. In Christ, amen.
What a way to end this week!! A glorious, wonderful, praise-worthy story of Jesus anointing, learning about anointing oil and how special it is, and a beautiful, thought-provoking, and heartfelt devotion!!!
As I was reading the Scripture in my Bible, I read a footnote that said Hosanna is an expression that means “save now” in Hebrew. Think about, the crowd yelling “save now”, “SAVE NOW”!!! And Jesus, knowing His time is not yet come but it was getting very close. BUT GOD!!! BUT GOD!!!! HOSANNA!!!! HOSANNA!!!!
It’s “awe-inspiring” how John will say, “His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.”, like in verse 16, in his writings in the Book of John. There are other times I noticed it but it just didn’t “click” until now that John is the only one to reflect back on how they weren’t realizing the prophecy being fulfilled. It’s just ASTONISHING, AMAZING and OVERWHELMING!!!
I did some research about calamus and cassia, here are the links if you are interested.
Calamus — https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/calamus/
Cassia — https://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/cassia.html
Jen’s last phrase I believe says it all, “perhaps the gift of Mary’s anointing is the scent of courage.” BUT GOD!!!!! Give me some of that courage to go out and spread the GREAT NEWS of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit, please. HALLUJAH!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!! Amen.
Sisters, be blessed, have a great weekend and try to have some courage to spread the GREAT NEWS, whether it be speaking it or “walking the walk” and showing the love.
Amen Arina! May God be glorified in all our struggles.
Well said Churchmouse, “so that others might come to believe”.
ANGIE, thank you for insightful words of wisdom!! I needed this, this morning as I’m here already here at work. And even though my heart aches. I keep in mind I represent Christ and I want to present Him well. Honor Him in hopes that others see JESUS and not me even when it hurts.
ANGIE, thank you for insightful words of wisdom!! I needed this, this morning as I’m here already here at work. And even though my heart
Thank you Angie for that beautiful comment. Sisters be blest today.
“Now my soul is troubled. What should I say — Father, save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” John 12:27-28
This passage really sucker-punched me. We are going to face trial, some little, but some will truly have to face something horrible. And sometimes when you know it is coming it can be overwhelming and we cry out to God…why? why, God? Please make this better and go away, heal our loved one, heal me from this affliction, please, please Lord…
I think of you Tracy Gendron as you faced this long ago, know your son was born with an affliction that would sadly take him from you. But Jesus said “This is why I have come, So you may be glorified,” his Father, in heaven.
He didn’t want it, yet he was the sacrifice. And you too, had to sacrifice something so sacred to you…and YOU are shining HIS glory…to us, to all those around you!! It would be so easy for you (and others in the same) to hide in bed or away from everybody, but YOU Tracy glorify God. I too hope that when terrible heartache comes my way, that I too will glorify God!
Another example closer to home for me, I had a client that I trained that had some strange things happening with her balance that came to be a diagnosis of ALS. Jacquie continued to come to me for a while until a year later she was already stuck in a wheelchair for the majority of the day and I would go to her. I would come complaining about the cold, or maybe something my husband had upset me about, or any other inconvenience of my life. But God, but Jacquie always wanted to hear and be a friend. And I would leave and think “wow, did I just complain!” She was the epitome of goodness and love while facing the biggest battle of her life, her short life. At 52, knowing she was going to lose every ability to move. slowly. Going from fit and hiking, to bound in a wheelchair not even able to lift yourself, or scratch your nose, only to breathing, when even that was taken slowly till nothing. But she glorified God through it all, even at her funeral it was all written out to bring more people to Jesus through her testimony. I will never probably face something more trying than that, it is my go-to situation that knocks the complaining right out of me. We all need these shockingly God stories that knock us straight. That’s why our testimonies become tests. Let’s use them for God’s glory as many of you do here every day! Thank you for sharing your hearts SHE”S. And no, your troubles don’t have to be big to share, they all matter to our Savior!!
I sometimes think how am I being a testimony? My life is so “normal” and mundane sometimes. But then, you don’t really “want” trials to come to test you, you never choose the big trials that are painful. It’s a quandary that has me thinking a lot. But for now, I will glorify God in the sewing and planting of everyday encounters.
Have a good Friday friends! -R
“The scent of courage.” Beautiful
Isaiah is so beautifully written. I am reflecting today that when I’ve read it through before, I get bogged down with it. It’s so long and feels daunting chapter after chapter. In the context of the gospels and Jesus, though, it comes alive. “To proclaim liberty to the captives…”
Thank you, Jen Yokel for this beautiful devotional to end this week of study. So many rich parallels – the anointing of the temple in the old testament/Jesus as the new temple is so powerful. From He Reads Truth – “What makes Mary’s offering so beautiful isn’t the perfection of her conduct. Jesus came to bring healing for the spiritually sick. Jesus doesn’t need our tithe as much as He desires our hearts. Religious duty—as important as generosity and practical ministry of mercy are—is a poor substitute for Christ-adoring joy. Christ desires extravagance in our affection. And He desires so in perfect love, for our flourishing. Such love is like a fragrance that fills the home, the neighborhood, and the world.”
Have a blessed weekend Shes!
I love that Mary‘s self surrendering, simple and powerful display of love toward Jesus was defended by Jesus, Jesus would not let her feel ashamed of her action. Jesus even honored her by, as it is written in Mark, Wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her. Mark 14:9 to
I’m so grateful that the spirit of Jesus is upon all of us! I hope that we can all be vessels for Jesus so His glory can be shown through us!
I appreciate the scriptures outside of John included in these devotionals because they give more context to Mary’s actions and why she so lavishly pour the oil on Jesus feet. And the devotional beautifully weaves them all to give us an understanding of the significance of this moment. Love the closing of the devotional— perhaps Mary’s anointing is the scent of courage. And again, I like how this sentence brings forth the human side of Jesus. He knows his destiny, he embraces it, but I sometimes wonder if the human in him asked God for courage to finish the mission he came to do.
Jesus, the Anointed One, set apart for a holy purpose. Jesus said follow me, everything he did was to glorify the Father. I pray that I follow Jesus and glorify the Father today and every day. Amen and amen
Each Monday I try and find a verse that my daughter will read in the car on the way to school for she and her younger brother to memorize as closely as they can for the week (we read it/quote it each morning’s short commute and is typically memorized by Thursday or Friday :) ).
This week I chose John 9:25 which we SHEs all read – “One thing I DO KNOW? I was blind? But NOW? I see!” (Emphasis mine) and the purpose I explained to them was that so often we don’t speak out about Christ because we fear we can’t answer everyone’s questions or we fear someone will poke a hole in our telling of who he is. But if we stick to sharing what we KNOW and have personally experienced- nobody can poke a hole in that. Nobody can change the actual experience you’ve personally had with Jesus. They can choose not to believe (as many Pharisees did) or they can decide for themselves it’s not true- but if we can just remember, the ex-blind man didn’t go into elaborate detail of the existence of God and prophesied accounts to prove this was the Messiah – he spoke simply what he knew.
I still have to work at keeping Jesus simple sometimes. Leave the doctrine and theology for another conversation- but just breathe, speak, demonstrate the simple, unarguable truth and love of Jesus and let HIM work the miracle in those who observe it.
Mary inspires me with her faith in Jesus. In the stories I’ve learned about her, she seems unafraid to challenge the worldly standards of the time and follow Jesus. I long to be more like her. Dear Lord, please fill me with faith and courage like Mary, to follow You with my whole heart even in a world where praising You is not always considered “popular” or “cool.” Praising You is awesome, and it’s my purpose in life! Help me to glorify You in all that I do. Thank You for giving me life! Amen.
Lavish love… that will go with me throughout my day (KELLY NEO). I will ruminate on that this morning, and come back and read the passages later. Have a blessed day, my sisters!
❤️
“Perhaps the gift of Mary’s anointing is the scent of courage. “ I love this so much!
There is much intrigue in today’s passage. I’ve often wondered about the rest of Lazarus’ life. Did the religious leaders continue to plot for him to be murdered since his living was such a catalyst for belief in Jesus? The account of Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus had spread far and wide. Lazarus’ life was an affront to their power and control. We don’t know the rest of his story. Yet here we are, centuries later, recounting his life and death, and life, again. There are no bit players in God’s plan. We all have a part. As Lazarus had a far reaching purpose so do we. Each of our lives are to glorify God so that others might come to believe.
Fsther God, Let me love You as lavishly as Mary and walk in Ypur light. In Jesus name, Amen
@Angie thank you for your comment about the aroma of Christ. We talked about the aroma of Christ in day 16 and that has stood out to me. When I was in college, we had a program called AROMA which stood for A Revolution of Missional Athletes where you would do international missions trips with a mixed group of athletes. It was one way to be the aroma of Christ to other parts of the world, but I have carried that with me even in my job now.
Before I end each occupational therapy session, I always like to ask my patients if there’s anything I could get for them before I leave. Sometimes it’s a glass of water, a snack, nothing, but yesterday I had a lady ask for a hug. I gave her a hug and she started crying and told me she was overwhelmed by my kindness to her. I hope she saw Jesus in me and through me in her encounter but her words meant so much to me.
Today’s devotion further solidified that I/we do carry the aroma of Christ with me everywhere I/we go, and challenges me to reflect on how I can be the best witness/image bearer/aroma carrier with each interaction I have. I hope everyone has a blessed weekend! <3
@Arina, I needed to hear your words today about anxiety and Jesus receiving the glory through any suffering we experience! Thank you for sharing
There’s just a lot of simple humility in this reading today – Mary offering her greatest possession, Jesus feeling troubled. Ok so maybe not a lot, but enough to show that even in faith things aren’t always perfect. Sometimes people think we are crazy in faith, but we have faith anyways. This is when we are truly blessed. Mary had faith anyways. Jesus continued to have faith even in the face of death. Where do I need to have faith even when my faith is proving to be a little different than the world?
I have always loved the fact that Mary used her hair to dry Jesus feet. She poured the expensive perfume upon His feet and then carried His scent with her, in her hair. I washed my hair this morning, and I have it pulled back to air-dry. I thought, how amazing it would be to have the scent of Jesus around my face all day as it dries.
Then I thought, I have the Holy Spirit dwelling within. He allows not just the scent of Jesus but our Triune God’s power, love, protection, peace…I also wondered, you know how we all have an individual odor. We get used to it and can’t really smell our own but, others do. I wonder if our salvation and entrance into the family of God causes the fragrance of our lives to change…yes in action, but also in what the world around us breathes in, AND what our Father breathes in of us. Kind of fun. I want to smell like Jesus, not just in my hair but in whatever anyone smells from me.
Then, as I was reading the Exodus passage, the “cook” in me was thinking, ‘that’s the recipe for the fragrance of holy…what if I could cut it back to a more doable size and have a candle made of that scent. I could light it every time I’m having my quiet time?’ EXCEPT, then I read verses 31-33 and found out, nope – that would not honor God – that fragrance is for Him. Of course, only our God is truly HOLY…makes sense that His scent is His scent alone. The scent of Holy.
The fragrance of selfishness or Jesus-generosity. Which will waft from my person today? I do not begin to worship my Savior with the purity and intensity of Mary and her Jesus-perfumed hair. Thankfully Jesus knows my hearts desire, that I want to. He is love, grace, and mercy. He continues to draw me close, and little by little by little, His Holy fragrance will permeate me, teaching me, growing me, loving me. Kneeling before God, it is the fragrance of His Holy Son that covers me. Jesus…the perfume of Jesus, cover me. Amen.
Amen,! Kelly! May we respond like Mary! He is worthy! Praying for you, Arina and your new adventures. I get anxious too. I was just subpoenaed to appear in court for an accident I saw. So many thoughts came up and I don’t even know if I’ll actually have to go. God has shown me so many times when I was anxious about many things that it all worked out. There was no need to fret. He did that just this week! So, May I let go and pray, and know He is Good.
I wanted to share with everyone that I was lead to a podcast by Johnny Ardavanis called Dial In. You can also listen and watch on YouTube. He does a series on the book of John!!! The episodes are short, and there all also other episodes on other topics! Here is a li k to one that goes with today’s reading: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dial-in-john-12-9-26/id1505222737?i=1000474558317
I hope you all get to listen! These episodes are very good! I also lost to one on the Holiness of God. There is a whole series on His attributes! Also, I listened to one about growing in the fear of the Lord. This episode is beautiful., because Paul Washer was saying in the interview, the more you love Him and know Him, the more reverence You have for Him!. I’m not doing this justice. It’s better to watch on your own! Just thought I’d share with you all! Prayers for you all.
I think it’s always about the motive. Judas’ motive was not the poor… Mary’s motive wasn’t about her looking the best because she had expensive perfume…it was truly about honoring him.
Lavish love is what God offers all of us. Jesus poured out all of Himself for our redemption. May we respond with Mary in extravagant worship.
Hosanna in the highest
“Now my soul is troubled. What should I say — Father, save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” John 12:27-28
I am about to graduate college and have started to apply for a job. But well, my social anxiety isn’t really liking it to say the least. It’s so comforting to read that in some way, Jesus experienced the same feelings. Except He was troubled because He would have to bear the weight of sin for all humanity. But still, He didn’t aske His Father to save Him from that. That’s what He came for. His only prayer was that God would be glorified through it. May that also be my desire. I don’t know what the future will hold, I probably will continue to struggle with anxiety, but I can pray that through it all God will be glorified. Then all this isn’t wasted.