Bible Reading for February 1 – John 12:1-8

As a follower of Jesus, what do you think is your most important job? Christians from William Booth’s Salvation Army and Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Mercy would point to our call to help the poor and to serve the needy – after all, that’s the practical way to demonstrate the love of Jesus, right?

But before we rush off to our works of mercy and service, we need to examine our priorities. After all, in the opening verses of John 12, it is Judas who was talking about the material needs of the poor. And this kind of worldly focus made him a thief, and eventually what led him to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Maybe Judas lost patience with Jesus because He wasn’t doing enough to change the worldly circumstances of the people around Him. In any case, Judas’ focus was firmly on the things of this world.

In contrast, look at Mary. She was so grateful that Jesus had raised her brother for the dead that she just wanted to get as close to Jesus as she could. She wanted to show Him how much He meant to her – no matter how much it cost in time, money, or attention. To Mary, Jesus was much more important than any material thing He could give her, or anything she already possessed.

So, where is our focus today, on the world or on Christ? Yes, it’s a good thing to serve others, but let’s not lose sight of God in the process. For no matter what good works we do, if they prevent us from focusing our time and attention on God, we’ve forgotten Who it is that matters most.

So, before we head out the door and get caught up in all the good deeds we need to do today, let’s learn a lesson from Mary. Sometime today, let’s turn our attention to the Lord in prayer, and to the reading of His Word. After all, He has given new life to all who trust in Him. He has given us the promise of eternal life with Him forever. Doesn’t He deserve all our love and all our praise?

John 12:1-8 (ESV)

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.
3 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.
4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said,
5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
6 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.
7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.
8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”