Gospel of John 09.vp

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The Gospe l of John

1. Jesus arrives at Bethany where Lazarus was, six days before the Passover, 12.1.

2. A dinner is held in honor of the Lord: perhaps the first celebration of Jesus with his friends since Lazarus’s resurrection, 12.1.

3. Martha serves the dinner, and Lazarus was present, 12.2 (cf. Luke 10.38-42 – Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. [40] But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” [41] But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, [42] but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”)

4. Mary’s act of dedication and devotion to Messiah, 12.3

a. A pound of expensive scented ointment, anointed the feet of Jesus, 12.3a

(1) Servants were the ones appointed to the task of washing the feet of guests.

(2) A “living visual” display of humility, allegiance, honor, and cherishing

b. Wiped his feet with her hair, 12.3b

c. The whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume, 12.3b.