John 12:7–8: But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
This is a really remarkable incident. The Lord here reveals that this woman anoints Him to let Him know that she enters into His death. She senses that He is to die for the sins of the world and she anoints Him ahead of time. Matthew recorded that Jesus said that wherever the gospel would be preached, this incident would be told. This is true. Even today the wonderful fragrance of this thing that she did fills the world. What a contrast we find here between her and Judas Iscariot. Here is where light and darkness are coming together. Judas is the darkness and Mary is the light. There is an application for us today. Jesus says that the poor are always with us and that He will not always be with us. He is not contradicting His statement that He is with us always, that He will never leave us nor forsake us. What He is saying here is that we can always be of service to the poor—but they are always with us—but that our service should not be a substitute for sitting at His feet. 1
Your Word is Truth
It is easy to substitute Christian activity for Christian devotion. What is the difference between an abiding fellowship with Jesus and having passionate service for Jesus? Both are important, but how do you find the blessed balance as a follower of Jesus?
For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, To save him from those who condemn him. –Psalm 109:31
You Alone are God
Christians can have a lot of motion, but with very little emotion for Jesus. – TWEET IT
Your Will be Done
Lord, thank You for taking this poor sinner and making me rich in Your saving grace.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 11-21) (electronic ed., Vol. 39). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
