Saturday 3rd August
Read John 12:7-8
“‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.’” (NIVUK)
Like many passages in John’s gospel, because he writes both plainly and with deeper meaning, Jesus’ response to Judas’ criticism has challenged commentators for many years. Our translation chooses to phrase the more confusing words with what seems like a clear statement that Mary intended to ‘save’ the perfume for His burial. This is an attempt to explain what Jesus, and John may have meant by using the word ‘keep’ (translated ‘save’). Hopefully the translation challenge is clear when you recall that the passage implies rather strongly that Mary poured it all out over Jesus, filling the house with the perfume!
One option is to phrase the sentence as a question. Resulting in a rebuke of Judas with an implied question – ‘Do you think Mary should have kept the perfume for the day of my burial?’. It has the distinct advantage of not resulting in a contradiction with the story, but does require some longer bows to see the implied question. I suspect it fits with the wider context better also. Jesus’ response makes clear that there is a choice to be made and time is running out to make it. Mary has realised time is short and has grasped the opportunity to demonstrate her commitment and love of Jesus publicly and extravagantly. Judas has also realised time is short and is seeking to extract the most money from the situation as he can.
Are times as urgent now? Do decisions need to be made between walking darker paths or turning to the light?
“As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,
‘In the time of my favour I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.’
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2) (NIVUK)
