Reflecting on John 12:1-11“‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.'” (John 12:7)
Martha hosts a dinner to honour Jesus, and Mary honours Jesus with the perfume.
Judas challenges Mary because he claims he wants to help the poor.
The religious leaders plan to kill Jesus to honour their God and religion.
Each one is doing something ‘religious’, but not for similar reasons.
To be religious is to do something for spiritual purposes.
Ideally, this is to express love for God and love for others, which is what God’s wants.
Yet John points out that not every religious act is truly spiritual.
We can understand Martha and Mary’s devotion, since Lazarus had been raised.
But it seems Judas is motivated more by self-interest than by love for God or people.
And the religious leaders seem to be more concerned about self-preservation.
Every day all over the world people engage in religious activities.
But what is their motivation, and who are they truly serving?
It is not for me to judge other peoples’ religious practices or motives: ‘leave them alone!’
Instead I should consider my own religious practices and motives.
Am I really doing what I do to honour Jesus or to somehow serve myself?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, people practice religion in many ways, and it is not for me to be critical or judgmental for how they worship. You know my heart, and what my intentions are. Help me to be sincere in the ways I serve You and God and the people I meet each day.
faith means doing. Loving = knowing = doing all belong together. By that others can see that we are Christians by our love.