Love God or Self?
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." John 12:7-8 (ESV)
Appropriateness changes with circumstances.
The Wuest translation helps us understand what motivated Mary. It says this: "Then Jesus said, Let her alone. It was in order that with a view to the day of the preparation of my body for entombment she might take care of it…."
Mary was focused on what was to come. The men around her were focused on what was happening then. Once again, Jesus allowed a woman, in times when women were often treated as second-class citizens, to teach the men a lesson. Jesus often included the unincluded first and seemed to enjoy their simplicity and sincerity. His birth announcement went to shepherds even though He had told the "religious elite" through the prophets. He chose Mary, a simple girl, to be His mother. He had a special relationship with this Mary and Martha and Lazarus, seemingly simple people.
Often our positions and "religion" keep us from God, even though they are "designed" to bring us close to Him.
Mary acted out of a deep love for Jesus, whereas Judas acted out of a deep love for himself. We all know how things ended for Judas.
For now, the choice is ours.
Appropriateness changes with circumstances.
The Wuest translation helps us understand what motivated Mary. It says this: "Then Jesus said, Let her alone. It was in order that with a view to the day of the preparation of my body for entombment she might take care of it…."
Mary was focused on what was to come. The men around her were focused on what was happening then. Once again, Jesus allowed a woman, in times when women were often treated as second-class citizens, to teach the men a lesson. Jesus often included the unincluded first and seemed to enjoy their simplicity and sincerity. His birth announcement went to shepherds even though He had told the "religious elite" through the prophets. He chose Mary, a simple girl, to be His mother. He had a special relationship with this Mary and Martha and Lazarus, seemingly simple people.
Often our positions and "religion" keep us from God, even though they are "designed" to bring us close to Him.
Mary acted out of a deep love for Jesus, whereas Judas acted out of a deep love for himself. We all know how things ended for Judas.
For now, the choice is ours.
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