A Beautiful Waste

The Fragrance of Wild Love

If someone could see your bank statement and your diary from the past month, what would they say you love?

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about half a litre of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:1–3 (NIV)

Under the Shadow of the Cross

Six days before the Passover… John 12:1 (NIV)

It is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish. …So from that day on they plotted to take his life. John 11:49–53 (NIV).

ble, each with a different heart attitude toward Jesus. Ask yourself this simple question: Which seat am I sitting in?

1.         Lazarus — The Seat of Miracles

Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. John 12:2 (NIV)

This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it. John 11:4 (NIV)

Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4 (ESV)

SELAH: Am I living in my strength and for my glory? We do not live for ourselves, but for God’s glory.

2.         The Disciples — The Seat of the Spectator

But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. Mark 9:32 (NIV)

She did this in preparation for my burial. John 12:7 (NLT)

SELAH: Am I observing worship, or entering into it?

3.         Martha — The Seat of Service

Martha served. John 12:2 (NIV)

Martha was distracted with much serving. Lk 10:40 (ESV)

I believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God. John 11:27 (NIV)

“We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.” Brother Lawrence

SELAH: Am I serving Jesus and others, secure in His love, or am I exhausted from trying to earn it?

4.         Judas: The Seat of the Deceitful

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste?” Mark 14:4 (NIV)

Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. John 12:5 (NIV)

He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. John 12:6 (NIV)

An idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God. Tim Keller

Waste is the Greek word apōleia.

The one doomed to destruction. (John 17:12), which translates as “the son of apōleia.”

SELAH: Is there a disconnect between my words and my heart? What am I silently allowing myself to love?

5.         Mary — The Seat at His Feet

Then Mary took about half a litre of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. …’It was worth a year’s wages.’ John 12:3–5 (NIV)

‣        She sat at His feet, listening (Luke 10:39)

‣        She fell at His feet, grieving (John 11:32)

‣        She anointed His feet, worshipping (John 12:3)

Mark notes she “broke the jar” (Mark 14:3)

Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to Me. …She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” Mark 14:6–9 (ESV)

And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:3 (NIV)

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. John 11:5 (NIV)

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2 (NIV)

SELAH: What is my alabaster jar? What am I keeping safely sealed that Jesus is completely worthy of?

6.         Jesus: The Seat of the King

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Mark 10:45)

While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. Song of Songs 1:12 (NIV)

How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice! Song of Songs 4:10 (NIV)

Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. 2 Corinthians 2:15 (NLT)

Which Seat Are You In?

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Revelation 2:4 (NIV)

Re-Wild Us — A Prayer

Jesus, show me the state of my heart towards You today.

If it has grown hard, soften it.

If the fire of my affection is flickering, fan it into flame.

If I am too busy serving You to enjoy Your presence, help me reorder my priorities.

Where my love has become domesticated, re-wild me.

Keep me from being among those who "come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me"

Bring me back to my first love.

Give me the courage and passion to "waste" my time, resources, and life on You.

Holy Spirit, awake like the wind. Blow on my heart, and let the fragrance of Jesus spread everywhere.

Break my alabaster jar, and let my life fill Your house with fragrance. Amen.