A Lasting Memorial

Sep 18, 2005 By: Pastor William Poss Series: The Gospel of John 12 Scripture: John 12:1-8
Our text begins the most momentous week in the history of the world – a week in which John and all of the Gospels end. Nearly one-half of John’s Gospel is given to the narration of the events of this week. The week begins with Jesus resting, perhaps even celebrating the raising of His friend Lazarus, as He refreshes and blesses His friends before He is to be taken from them, before His suffering and death. He keeps company with godly friends. We find Martha serving joyfully, Lazarus entertaining, and Mary again at Jesus’ feet. We find love in action. What stuck primarily in the mind of the disciples was the pure devotion of Mary who took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. They vividly recall the odor of the ointment that filled the room. The aroma and fruit of love will not hide. Mary had given her all – she broke the box and poured it all out at Jesus’ feet. As she wiped them with her hair, it became full of the fragrance, which she carried with her all around the room. The extravagant love of Jesus Christ filled the room with this pleasant fragrance.