John: Extravagant Love

John 12:1-26

Imagine it’s your last week on Earth. You know your life will end in a few days, so who would you make sure to talk to? And what would you say to them? 

In John 12, Jesus begins his final week before the cross. It is six days before Passover, and Jesus has traveled to Bethany, two miles outside Jerusalem, to dine with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus—the man he brought back to life (John 12:1). No doubt, the Twelve and other guests are there. 

As was customary, Martha served the guests, Lazarus reclined at the table, and Mary sat at Jesus' feet, this time preparing to pour expensive perfume on him. She used a pound of pure nard to anoint him (John 12:3). Nard has an aroma described as earthy, woody, and musky, with hints of sweetness and spice. The scent filled the entire house. 

Mary is in a posture of worship before Jesus, bowed low with her face near the Lord’s feet. She uses her hair to apply and spread the fragrant perfume. This act exemplifies love, worship, and sacrifice. Her position shows her devotion and humility. Her worship reflects her heart. Her extravagance reveals her sacrifice. 

One person expressed disapproval of Mary’s actions. Judas, the disciple who would betray Jesus, criticized her for using perfume worth three hundred denarii—a year’s wages—in this way. He argued that it should have been sold, and the money given to the poor. John quickly points out that Judas didn’t care about those considered less fortunate. He was known to steal from the money bag and would have kept the money from selling the perfume for himself. 

Jesus responds to Judas’ remark, “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” (John 12:7-8).

The dinner didn’t stay private for long. Soon, a large crowd gathered to see Jesus and Lazarus, the man who had been raised from the dead (John 12:9). The miracle at the tomb caused many to believe in Jesus (John 12:11). However, this created a problem for the religious leaders. They had already planned to kill Jesus. Now, they decided they also had to get rid of Lazarus (John 12:10). 

The next day was Sunday, and large crowds gathered in Jerusalem to prepare for Passover. The raising of Lazarus had increased curiosity and expectations surrounding Jesus. When the people learned that he was coming to Jerusalem, they were eager to crown him as their king. Those who had seen Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead led the way (John 12:17-18). 

As a sign to honor Jesus’ entry into the city, the multitude gathered with palm branches, waving them in the air. They shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:12). The word “hosanna” is a Hebrew term meaning “please save” or “save now.” Their plea for salvation was not spiritual but physical. They believed that Jesus would rescue them from the oppressive rule of Rome. 

Victorious kings rode into town on large war horses, carrying a sword and wearing a crown. But Jesus rode on the back of a young donkey. To describe this, John paraphrases the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9:

Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey’s colt!

Let’s be honest. The disciples were just as excited as the crowd. They also believed Jesus was establishing his kingdom in Jerusalem, and they were ready to rule with him. John explained that his “disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him” (John 12:16).  

The religious leaders now faced a serious dilemma. They were plotting to kill Jesus, but he had a large following, and he had just brought a dead man back to life! How could they condemn Jesus to death without risking a revolt and being killed by the crowd? During their discussion, some reasoned, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him” (John 12:19).

John closes this section with important information.

John 12:20-22
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.  So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 

The Greeks likely belonged to one of two groups: either God-fearers or proselytes. God-fearers attended Jewish synagogues and festivals, observed Jewish customs, but did not fully convert to Judaism because the men were not circumcised. Proselytes were non-Jews (Gentiles) who, through circumcision, baptism, and accepting the entire Mosaic Law, fully converted to Judaism. This group’s desire to see Jesus symbolizes all Gentiles who would come to God through Christ. 

Here's how Jesus responds:

John 12:23-26
And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” 

We have read from John’s account that Jesus’ hour had not yet come. Now, it has arrived. It is time for him to be glorified through his sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. He compared his death to a grain of wheat that falls into the ground and dies, producing much fruit. Jesus explains to his disciples that his death and resurrection would result in the fruit of Jews and Gentiles accepting him as their Lord, and the Son being honored by the Father forever.  

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on John 12:1-26. Imagine yourself in the crowd when Jesus entered Jerusalem. What would that experience have been like?

Talking to God:  Mary worshiped Jesus with humility and extravagant love, holding nothing back—even something as costly as a year’s wages. What does it look like for you to worship Jesus like that today? Are there areas of your life where he’s inviting you to surrender more fully or love him more deeply?

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Know Jesus more intimately.
Love Jesus more passionately.
Follow Jesus wholeheartedly.