Show Don't Tell: John 12:1-11

Instead of saying "Mary anointed Jesus before his burial," smell the perfume fill the room. Six days before the Passover, Jesus comes to Bethany, where Lazarus lives—Lazarus, whom Jesus has raised from the dead. Here a dinner is given in Jesus' honor. Martha serves while Lazarus reclines at the table with him. Then Mary takes about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she pours it on Jesus' feet and wipes his feet with her hair. The house is filled with the fragrance of the perfume. A year's wages poured out in seconds. Judas Iscariot objects: "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He does not say this because he cares about the poor but because he is a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he helps himself to what is put into it. "Leave her alone," Jesus replies. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews finds out that Jesus is there and comes, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus. So the chief priests make plans to kill Lazarus as well—because on account of him many Jews are believing in Jesus.