John 12:1-7 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint 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.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.
It was intended.
I sometimes wonder about the choices I make and how they will impact events in the future. I know I have free will. I mean, I have no feelings of urgency or proddings to chose this thing or act that way over another thing or action, as though I have no choice. I don't feel like I'm ever forced into one decision over another. I just make decisions and act according to what I want to do or think is best. I use decision making tools and techniques but I never feel like I HAVE to do anything. I always feel like I have a choice and the will to decide on my own.
I read many times in the New Testament, particularly the Epistles of Paul, about predestination and have to contemplate that concept. Exactly what does that mean? I usually end up thinking that God has it figured out so I don't need to worry about it but still..... Do I have free will? Are my actions spelled out before I make decisions?
I read this passage in John this week. The devotional focused on Mary's generosity and her lavish love for Jesus. I've read that before. I agreed again with the author. Then I noticed "it was intended". Of course, there is nothing else to the story to know more. Was it intended that Mary buy this perfume long before this event? Had her family purchased it awaiting the death in the family? When it was purchased, was it purchased with the intent (by Mary) to use it for Jesus' burial? Or was it God's intent that it be used for this occasion even though Mary didn't know it at the time? It was not purchased for Lazarus because he doesn't die until later according to John 11:2 "This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair."
Oh, I know that this is not worth discussion, per se. It is just another interesting little bit I got from a reading of my Bible. No one will come to Jesus because of this particular phrase "It was intended". But I like the mysteries in the Bible. I also like the certainties such as the one that this phrase might make - that there was a plan for that perfume and that perhaps Mary didn't know until she felt like anointing Jesus with it.
God knows us and how we think. He has plans based on his knowledge of us and how we think. I find it comforting that God uses that to make sure his plans are carried out as He wants them and that sometimes I fall into the middle of them.
Thank You, God for using me in your plans, in whatever manner you see fit. Thanks for the opportunity, even when I don't know it. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment