Pastor's Column 3/22/2026

PASTOR’S COLUMN    

³ “Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she  anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping His feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. ⁴ But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray Him, said, ⁵ “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”  ⁶ Not that He cared for the poor – he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole for himself . ⁷ Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did  this in preparation for my burial. ⁸ You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”                                         John 12 3-8, NLT

5th Sunday in Lent – “Matters, Not Motives!”

Jesus was very perceptive in knowing His disciples. The Twelve who became His first band of faithful followers were not perfect. They were all under construction. The years with Jesus were character building years. The principles Jesus taught the Twelve, challenged them to change their lives in a radically redemptive manner. They were told to make sacrifices by releasing aspects of family relationships and small fortunes – and they would receive much more in the Kingdom Jesus was preparing for them. As compelling as the message of Jesus was, they often failed to grasp the full meaning and import of how Jesus could help them.  In the waning months and weeks before His atoning death on the cross, Jesus became acutely aware of this deficit. It was certainly obvious to Jesus, less than a week before the Passover celebration. Jesus was invited to Bethany in the home of Mary, her sister Martha, and their brother Lazarus. Mary washed the feet of Jesus with her expensive perfume. Judas protested under the pretense, such use was a waste. His railing, ‘the value’ of perfume could have feed the poor,’ was disingenuous. His motives were deceptive. Mary’s act of hospitality is what really mattered. She anointed Jesus with the best she had. An act of kindness matters, where deceitful motives don’t.