40 DAYS and 40 NIGHTS

John 12:1-8

1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.  2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.  3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,  5 `Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’  6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)      7 Jesus said, `Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.  8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’

We have been reading this story all week, and begins to have it’s way with us.  Place yourself in the story – imagine the atmosphere – this is not long after Jesus has brought Lazarus back to life.   Imagine that you are Mary, and read the story again. (READ)  Now imagine that your are Judas… read the story again. (READ)  Now imagine that you are Jesus…  One of the other disciples.  Lazarus.  Martha. 

The story takes on a different meaning for us as we look at it from different perspectives.  Certainly we could look at it from the perspective of the poor – and it takes on new meaning. 

What strikes you the most about this story?