Bible ReadingJohn 12:1-8“Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.”
[00:30]“So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.”
[00:47]“Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
[00:47] [00:57]“But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’”
[01:01] [01:07]“He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.”
[01:17]“Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.’”
[01:22] [01:28]Romans 12:1“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
[12:08]Ephesians 5:1-2“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”
[10:24]“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
[10:24]Mark 14:3-9“And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.”
[14:10]“There were some who said to themselves indignantly, ‘Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.’ And they scolded her.”
[14:17]“But Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.’”
[14:17]“She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
[14:20]Observation questions- What details in John 12 show that Mary’s act was far more than ordinary courtesy toward an honored guest? [06:28]
- What contrast does John make between Mary’s actions with the perfume and Judas’s words about the poor? [21:44]
- According to Jesus in John 12 and Mark 14, how does Mary’s anointing connect to His coming death and burial? [14:17]
- What does the image of fragrance communicate in Ephesians 5:2, and how does it connect Christ’s sacrifice with Mary’s offering? [10:24]
Interpretation questions- Mary gave something of great value to Jesus because she recognized His worth. What does her action reveal about the difference between giving Christ leftovers and offering Him what is truly precious? [07:49]
- Romans 12:1 calls believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices “by the mercies of God.” Why must remembering God’s mercy come before a person can offer his or her whole life to God with joy? [12:20]
- Judas spoke about a real need—the poor—but his heart was controlled by greed. How can concern for good causes become a cover for self-interest, personal gain, or a desire to look spiritual? [23:18]
- Jesus says that Mary “has done what she could.” How does this protect believers from both doing nothing out of fear and trying to prove themselves through religious activity? [15:47]
Application questions- What is most likely to become the “best possession” you hesitate to place at Christ’s feet—money, time, comfort, reputation, plans, relationships, or control? What would glad surrender in that area look like this week? [12:20]
- Mary’s worship was humble: “My glory to wash your feet.” Are there ways you serve, give, or participate in church while quietly hoping to be noticed? What would it look like to do one act of worship simply for Christ’s eyes? [16:05]
- When following Jesus feels exhausting, restrictive, or joyless, what have your eyes been fixed on instead of Christ? How could you deliberately consider Christ this week through His Word, His gathered people, and His cross? [28:11]
- Jesus gave Himself for people who had no claim on His mercy. Is there a difficult person in your life whom you have been reluctant to love because they do not seem worthy of your care? What is one tangible way you could serve them without calculating what you will receive back? [35:40]
- Judas’s question was, in effect, “What do I get out of this?” Where does that kind of calculation show up most easily in your own heart—in giving, serving, relationships, work, or church life? [23:18]
- Generous giving is a fragrant offering to God, not merely a financial transaction. How can you prayerfully examine your use of money so that it reflects trust in Christ rather than fear, greed, or self-protection? [38:35]
- Mary saw that Jesus was going to the cross for sinners, and that sight moved her to worship. What particular mercy of Christ—His forgiveness, patience, sacrifice, resurrection, or faithful presence—do you most need to remember this week? [31:27]
