The Fragrance of Love

John 12: 1 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.” 9 When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.

In my quiet time this morning the love of Jesus was so overwhelming and I can't help but turn to Him in prayer and say "thank you" and I love you. This all comes from a heart that has felt God's grace and love, and the reaction from me "should be" Lord I love you. In the above scripture Jesus arrives at the home Lazarus (the one He raised from the dead) and Martha fixes a dinner for Him. So Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and now He is eating at the table with "Lazarus." Mary's reaction to Jesus being in their home caused her to take a 120z jar of an expensive perfumed and annointing Jesus' feet and wiped His feet with her hair. Here is what this action did to the house where they were all eating. 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.

All were affected by Mary's action, except for Judas. Judas brought up the old "you could sell that and give it to the poor" which was his way of "dishonoring Jesus." The scripture says this about Judas. 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. Jesus tells Judas to leave her alone because she did this in preparation for His burial. It seems everything in Jesus' thinking is looking toward His death on the cross. Jesus continues to tell Judas that you will always have the poor, but you will not always have Him. He just keeping everything in perspective.

When the people heard about Jesus arrival they flocked to see Him, and see Lazarus also. The leading priests then decided they should kill Lazarus too, because it was his resurrection that got the people following Jesus. When something happens that is so real and lasting, people don't forget it, and the resurrection of Lazarus gave hope for all who received Jesus of their resurrection some day.

How do you honor what Jesus has done for you? I get so busy by just "doing" things I miss the seriousness of the "meaning" of things. I look so forward to more things to do for Jesus that I forget to allow what happens to immerse me in His love and power. The Psalmist realized God was with Him and that in the presence of the Lord He said the following words in Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God!  I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Perhaps we need to be still at times and just let His fragrance of love permeate every part of our mind, our soul, our everything. Paul wrote these wonderful words to the church in Ephesus and there is a wonderful fragrance in the thought of what He wrote. Ephesians 3:14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

When God shows up His fragrance of love fills the room and we should want to bask in that wonderful experience. I hope you experience that love today and receive all you can, and

it will prompt you to give your life even more to this wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ.

Today's Message,

David Warren