John 12:1-8

Worship & Sacrifice

Daily S.O.A.P. Prompts

S – What verse stands out to me today?

O – What is God revealing about Jesus?

A – How should this change my life today?

P – What is my prayer in response?

Scripture

(John 12:1-8, NLT) Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. 4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. 7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Observation

• This is the third and final Passover celebration in the gospel account. This helps scholars know that Jesus’ public ministry lasted three years.

• He is sharing a meal with Lazarus, whom he resurrected from the dead.

• Martha was serving and Mary was anointing. Mary took a large jar (12 oz) of perfume made with the essence of nard and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. In the Ancient Near East, the hair of a woman was considered her glory. This is a very sacrificial act.

• Judas Iscariot was upset that the perfume wasn’t sold and the money given to the poor. He seems to think it was a waste. Judas is called a betrayer and a thief.

• Jesus tells Judas to “leave her alone” and explains that what she is doing is an important “preparation” for his upcoming death and burial.

• This side of heaven, the poor will always be with us, so make sure you celebrate the Christ, the Son of God, who is right in front of you before He is gone.

Application

• Jesus is worth our best. He is worth my most expensive jar of perfume and more.

• People betrayed and stole from Jesus. They will do the same to you. But Jesus still loved them and worked to save all of us, even the ones he knew would harm him.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for loving me even when I am not always lovable. My actions, like Judas, don’t always bring you glory. Forgive me. Help me to become increasingly more generous, like Mary, so more and more people will come to know you. In Jesus' name, amen!

Have questions about today’s S.O.A.P. study? Comment below.