The Future Within the Present

Read: John 12.1-19

As Jesus approaches Jerusalem for the final time in His ministry, John includes two episodes for us to consider in today’s reading: the anointing of Jesus, and the triumphant entry of Jesus into the Jewish capital.

The perfume that Mary poured on undoubtedly demonstrated her great love and devotion to Jesus, intertwined perhaps with her gratitude to Jesus for raising her brother Lazarus back to life. In her mind, what gift of appreciation would be too extravagant? However, Mary’s act of wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair was a symbol of complete humility…impressed with the unsurpassed majesty and power of Jesus, she openly showed her genuine humility in the presence of Jesus.

Dr. Joseph Dongell notes the following in his commentary on this passage:

“No one witnessing these events protested, except Judas, the disciple who would betray Jesus. In hindsight, it seems predictable that one whose heart would harbor theft and betrayal should so quickly object to a supposed fault in another. Though Judas’ protest took the ‘high moral ground’ of concern for the poor, his underlying motive is revealed to be nothing other than greed. Had the sale of the perfume brought a large sum of money into the disciples’ money bag, Jesus, the dishonest keeper of the bag, would have profited enormously. But Judas would not have the last word, and Mary would not be shamed because of her act of devotion. Without at this time exposing Judas and his dishonest ways, Jesus exonerated Mary and interpreted the significance of her anointing in ways Mary herself did not likely intend…(Jesus stated that) the disciples would have many other occasions for helping the poor (as they should), but not many more occasions to honor Jesus. Jesus was fast approaching his death, and Mary’s act of devotion had served to underscore, in a way perhaps unknown to her, the nearness of that end and His burial. Her application of perfume to His body anticipated the application of perfume to His corpse. As always, Jesus could see the significance of the future within the present.”

Commenting on Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem, Dr. Dongell notes:

“Though the full significance of these events was hidden from view, the religious leaders understood enough to realize that Jesus’ popularity threatened their power and standing among the people…Their alarm would only confirm them in their plans to kill Jesus in order to preserve (as they saw it) their national identity and their standing within it. These drastic measure seemed to them the only option…but their observation that the ‘whole world’ had gone after Jesus would, ironically, find greater fulfillment than they expected.”