Six days before Passover, Mary anointed the feet of Jesus. Mary used “a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious”. Mary did not think of the cost. Just as the fragrance of the perfume filled the room, the death of Jesus would fill all creation. His death will redeem all creation and give it life.

Judas complained about this extravagance. He said, “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?” By saying this, Judas gave us an idea of how much the perfume cost. One denarii was equivalent to a day's wage during those times. Three hundred denarii is therefore, the cost of a person's wage for a year. Imagine a year's wage for one pound of perfume. Now THAT is expensive!

Jesus answered Judas and said the anointing was preparation for his burial. Anointing Jesus is more important than feeding the poor or any other work of charity. Believing in Jesus is more important than anything else.

One of the mistakes I had when I first came back to the Lord, was to think my works can save me. I thought being a Christian was to do good. However, as I got to know Jesus, I realized being a Christian is first and foremost, knowing Jesus. Doing good works is the fruit of knowing Jesus.

My good works will not save me. Only Jesus can and will save me. I need good works to perfect my faith. My good works are proof of what Jesus did for me. So giving to the poor is good and commendable. Other good works are good and commendable. But these do not compare to having a personal relationship with Jesus. Our relationship with Jesus comes first before anything else.

When one knows Jesus, one will know what to do. The priorities will be set right. The result is good deeds.

The chief priests wanted to kill Jesus. They also wanted to kill Lazarus. Many Jews believed in Jesus because of Lazarus.

The chief priests were righteous in terms of obeying the law. They did a lot of good works. And yet, they planned to kill Jesus AND Lazarus!

Their good works meant nothing because they would not accept what Jesus told them. They were blinded by their pride. In fact, their zeal for doing good led them to break the Law.

Jesus: The Triumphant King

Five days before Passover, Jesus entered Jerusalem. His passion begins.

As he entered Jerusalem, he was given a triumphant entry. Everyone proclaimed him as king. In fulfillment of scripture, he entered Jerusalem while sitting on a young donkey. Unlike in previous instances where he hid himself when people wanted to make him king, this time, he allowed people to proclaim him as king. The people continued to testify that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Because of this testimony, more joined the crowd.

The World Goes to Jesus

The Pharisees were saying everyone was going to him. Jesus had not yet risen from the dead, but people were already going to him. Even the Greeks went to him. They approached Philip who took them to Andrew, who took them to Jesus. The coming of the Gentiles to Jesus signified the time of glory, when ALL - even the non-Jews go to him.

Jesus then talked of a grain of wheat dying before it can bear fruit. One must die to have eternal life. This death is death to self, death to sin. Anyone who serves Jesus should follow him. Wherever Jesus is, his servant is there. God will honor those who serve Jesus.

Victory and Glory

Jesus then said his time was here. He was troubled, but he looked forward to the completion of his time. By his death, the Father was glorified. Jesus was troubled, but he prayed for the Father's name to be glorified.

Similarly, when we are troubled, it is the time for God to be glorified.

The Father had glorified his name and will glorify it. When did he first glorify his Father's name? It was in the raising of Lazarus, in the healing of the blind man, in the healing of the lame man. God was glorified. Now, he will glorify it again, with the death and resurrection of Jesus. The voice was not for Jesus, but it was for those who heard it. Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world. Now is the prince of this world cast out.”

Even before his death, Jesus had won the victory. Similarly, when we are in difficulties, we have won the victory. Victory in difficulties through Jesus!

St. Paul said we are more than conquerors in Christ. We are not “mere” conquerors, we are more than that! We are children of God, destined for glory!

Jesus said “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Jesus had to be lifted up from the earth. He had to be glorified. He had to be exalted over all so he could draw people to himself.

When preaching, one must remember to preach Jesus - not what one believes. This is how one can draw people to Jesus.

Light and Darkness

The Jewish leaders again started to ask - how can the Son of Man die, when he will remain forever? Jesus then spoke of light and darkness. While there is light, walk in the light. Those walking in darkness do not know where they are going. Believe in the light. Jesus then hid himself after saying this.

The Light hid himself so the leaders could not see. God “has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and would turn, and I would heal them.”

These words were spoken by Isaiah when he had a vision (Isaiah 6). Personally, I think the original words were spoken to teach the people of Israel the importance of seeing and understanding God. God was not responsible for their hard hearts. The people were. God was saying if they see and perceive with their hearts, then he would heal them. But the people would not see. They chose not to see and therefore, they chose to reject the healing of God.

Seeing Jesus

Many of the leaders believed in Jesus, but they did not speak out because they were afraid of men. Indeed, our confession will depend on who we want to please.

Hardness of heart is caused by unbelief. Seeing Jesus is a gift from God. Only God can reveal Jesus and we have to respond. If I cannot see Jesus and am sincere, I have to ask God and be open to him. I cannot see if I do not admit blindness. Only God can heal and if I do not ask God to heal me, I cannot be healed.

To believe in Jesus is to believe in the Father. To see Jesus is to see the Father. Jesus is the Light. Believing in Jesus brings light.