Who is Jesus? A Lenten Journey through John – Day 18
John 12:1-19
Disbelief and mistrust surround Jesus. When Mary poured costly perfume out on Jesus’ feet, a gift of love, there is Judas, criticizing this wonderful offering. Jesus, though, is unshaken by this critique, graciously receiving Mary’s generosity.
When the crowd gathered to see Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead, the chief priests were disgusted and wanted to kill him. When Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph to shouts of praise, the Pharisees, sneered at him and the crowd, implying that they are fools for going after him.
Mistrust and disbelief are nothing new to Jesus. Judas and the religious leaders were more interested in their own agendas than seeing what Jesus was doing or sharing in his ministry. But Jesus remained unshaken, focused on his mission to give his life as for us. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Thank, you Jesus, that you were focused throughout your life on your mission and your saving work. Help me to be focused, too, on your work in me. Amen.