Preparing for Easter


Read John 12:1-8:

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

(see also Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9)

With Easter coming in a few weeks, many people are planning what to do on their long weekend. Getting easter eggs and chocolate, and planning an egg hunt are just some of the things people do to prepare, but I wonder, what should our preparations look like? Do we really think about what Easter means for us? How did Christ and His followers prepare?

While they did not realize Jesus was to die soon, His friends were thankful for all that He had already done. In John 12, we read that Mary, Martha, and Lazarus held a dinner in Christ Jesus’ honor. At the dinner,

Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

 In love and humility, Mary anoints the feet of our Lord. In faith, knowing that Jesus was the “Messiah” and the “Anointed One” prophesied about, she gives Him the best she has to offer. Just as the house was filled with the beautiful fragrance of perfume, so, too, does the joy of faith fill a home. In light of His coming death, it was appropriate that Mary used the oil that was typically used to embalm the dead. While Mary did not understand that Jesus was soon to die for the sins of His people, the Holy Spirit was pleased to direct her to anoint Jesus as the priest He truly is.

Judas, however, was not impressed with her sacrifice. He piously claims that it is wasteful, questioning why it wasn’t used to help the poor. But Jesus saw through his false piety and knew that Judas’ heart was filled with a sinful desire for money. As God, He knew what was truly in Judas’ heart; He knew Judas was going to betray Him. Jesus rebukes Judas, reminding those present that He wouldn’t be with them forever; His death was coming soon.

Jesus approved of Mary’s obvious show of love and unselfish act of worship. In love, He tried to prepare His followers for His pending death so that when the time came, they would remember His words. This, then, is how we ought to prepare ourselves for Easter. Examine your life; do you worship Christ with the utmost love, respect, and devotion? Are you willing to sacrifice that which is most precious to you for Him? True faith, like the fragrance of the oil, will spread out and be obvious to others. When we lovingly and willingly offer up all we have to Him, God is pleased. This Easter, look to the true reason we celebrate. Remember that Christ, in love, made the greatest sacrifice for us. Are you willing to do the same for Him?

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