John 12:1-8 NASB

1. Therefore, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

2. So they made Him a dinner there, and Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.

3. Mary then took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4. But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, the one who intended to betray Him, *said,

5. “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the proceeds given to poor people?”

6. Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he kept the money box, he used to steal from what was put into it.

7. Therefore Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial.

8. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

Empowerment Keys:

• Serving requires humility

• What does my heart say when I’m serving/What does my actions say about my heart (Mary let her hair down in public that against Jewish custom)

• “You must sit at his feet, or you will never anoint them; he must pour his divine teaching into you, or you will never pour out a precious ointment upon him.”

• A bowed heart equals a bowed posture

• Serving Him always requires my best and the best.

• When serving your attention should be more on what you do and less on their question of why you do.

• Remembering how he served you will always help you when you struggle with your why.