When All is Said and Done
John 12:1-8
Pastor Jerry Koller

Beginning with chapter 12 in the book of John, it seems the Apostle shifts his focus as he addresses the final week of Jesus’ life just prior to His crucifixion.

Bethany could be considered a suburb of Jerusalem seeing it was only about two miles away.

According to parallel accounts of this story in Matthew 26 and Mark 14, this meal was held at the home of Simon the leper, who also lived in Bethany and was very likely healed of his leprosy by Jesus.
• In Luke 10:38-42, we are given an account a time when Jesus visited His friends about six or so months earlier.
• Martha was serving, while Lazarus was reclining at the table with Jesus.

This very costly perfume made from pure nard, was used for investment purposes much like gold is used today.
• While the NASB and ESV translated this word nard, a transliteration of the Greek word “nardos,” the KJV calls the herb spikenard, because the top of the herb looks like it has hairy fine spikes that resemble an ear of corn.
• Mary takes a pound of this extremely expensive perfume and anoints the feet of Jesus. This is interesting because there is a difference between washing and anointing.
• Anointing someone or something was done as an act of consecration, setting aside something or someone as sacred. It was also an act of honor.

Matthew and Mark say the woman anointed Jesus’ head. John mentions Mary anointed Jesus’ feet. He mentions Jesus’ feet because when she was done, Mary wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair.

Surely the sale of such fine perfume would go a long way in helping the poor.

This reflects Judas’ heart. At some point, Judas’ secret actions became known.

Mary’s action was not a waste. It’s true, the perfume was very valuable and could have been sold for a great profit. But Jesus looked at it differently.

Some scholars debate over whether Mary used the entire jar of perfume or
• Jesus knew His time was coming, and so did His disciples. The reference to His day of burial was a kind of prophetic statement because it had not yet happened. Mary, anointing Jesus with very costly perfume—not to ensure His body wouldn’t stink but because it was an act of consecration, the setting aside of something or someone as sacred. It was also an act of honor.

Jesus wasn’t downplaying the importance of helping the poor. He simply stated the fact that the poor will always be there, but His time on earth is rapidly drawing to a close.

In memory of Mary.

The life you live reflects what you believe about Jesus and the kind of relationship He has with me.

We give Jesus our very best because He gave us His very best. Our best is us, our lives, our expressions of love, honor, and thankfulness.

Our best includes honoring Jesus wherever God has placed us, such as our homes, our families, our neighborhoods, our relationships, our workplaces, and so on.

mission café
Sundays | 9:00-10:15am | Mission Cafe

worship
Sundays | 10:30am | Sanctuary
• If you're unable to join us in-person, you can watch live on Facebook or view later in the week on Facebook or YouTube or listen to an audio only version on Archive.

children’s worship
Sundays | 10:30am | Children’s Worship Room
• Ages 5 years old through 5th grade
• Does not meet on the first Sunday of each month.
• Contact Alyssa Newell for questions or more information.

men’s bible study
Tuesdays | 7:00-8:30pm | Mission Café
• Contact Paul Fitton or Larry Dobberstein for questions or more information.

church office open
Wednesdays | 11:00am-4:00pm

theology class
Wednesdays | 7:00-8:00pm | Main Foyer
• Closed course.

women’s craft group
Thursdays | 6:30pm | Craft Room
• Contact Tracy Marshall for questions or more information.

• Alyssa Newell has been diagnosed with Lupus. She has an appointment in September to discuss a management plan; pray that the treatment options are successful.
• Marge Benham has a lump on her shoulder that has been found to be cancerous. She will have radiation and surgery this summer and the doctors are confident this is treatable and beatable.
• Dylan Goff's fiance, Taylor, who is recovering from a stroke and will probably have a procedure done to repair a hole in her heart within the next few weeks.
• Abby Bocock has been diagnosed with Lyme Disease.
• Alice Avery fractured her elbow and is doing therapy.
• John Seitz is recovering from prostate surgery.
• Bruce Ferguson is recovering from a procedure to prepare his prostate and bladder for radiation. Pray that everything heals properly.
• Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com