30. John 12:1-19 Jesus's Triumphal Entry

 

1 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.

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.” 9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

 12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 

17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

What does this passage impact my affections, attitudes and actions? 

Mary didn’t hold anything back in her love for Jesus. She gave something precious, not caring about what others thought. This really makes me think about whether I'm truly giving my best to Jesus, like Mary did, or if I'm just holding back because of distractions or comfort.

Sometimes, like Judas, I focus on the wrong things—whether it's criticizing others for their passionate service or getting distracted by earthly concerns instead of truly loving Him. It challenges me to ask if I'm willing to sacrifice my time, energy, and resources to really honor Him, or if I'm just taking the easy route.

Dear Jesus,

You are worthy of my deepest love and highest devotion. Help me to worship You with all my heart, just as Mary did. Let me not hold back anything from You, but give You my best—my time, my resources, and my whole life. When the world values other things, help me to keep my focus on You. May my love for You grow deeper every day, and may my life reflect the kind of worship that truly honors You. 

In Your name, Amen.