The first part of John focuses on the signs performed by Jesus to reveal who He really is; the second part turns the attention on His impending death and His glory.

The chief priests and the Pharisees had made up their minds to kill Jesus and this was accentuated by the raising of Lazarus from the dead. They had issued the order to arrest Jesus; the occasion was the coming Passover and the Jews were proceeding to Jerusalem for the ceremonial cleansing before partaking the Passover. Many of them were wondering whether Jesus would turn up at the Feast. By mentioning the feast of the Passover, John brings  out the link between Jesus’ approaching death and this festival which is so significant in the life of God’s people. We would remember John the Baptist declaring Jesus as the ‘lamb of God’; Jesus’ death will fulfil this and He indeed the true lamb of God whose blood shed would deliver His people from their bondage and death.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the house of Lazarus whom He raised from the dead. A dinner was given in His honour. Lazarus, once dead but now living, sat at table with Jesus, now living but soon to die as a sacrificial lamb, a Passover lamb. the deliverer of His people.

At this dinner, Mary took about half a litre of very expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. The whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Mary’s act was an act of humbling devotion to Jesus, an uninhibited expression of love and worship manifested by the beautiful fragrance that permeates the whole environment.

It begs the question: “How is it that many who profess themselves to be believers and Christians, give so little, say so little, take so little pains, to promote Christ’s cause and to bring glory to Him in this world?”

Mary was unknowingly, in all probability, anointing Jesus for His burial. At this point, Judas Iscariot raised an objection, saying that a perfume so costly, amounting to a whole year’s wage for a labourer, should be sold and the proceeds given to the poor. Judas said this not so much because he cared for the poor but he was acting hypocritically and he had been pilfering money from the money bag. Jesus’s response did not mean He did not care for the poor but He saw the pouring of the perfume as a pre-anointing of His coming burial, for He was conscious of the coming sacrifice He had to make and He knew He deserved as much honour as the heavenly Father. In that light, the act of Mary was not a waste but it was in order and so He rebuked Judas to leave Mary alone. Judas’ objection should bring to our attention the serious danger of the tainted motivation in our service of God and men. We may appear noble in our speech and actions but God sees the hearts. Let us ensure that our hearts are filled with sincere love for God and His purposes and not tainted with the desire for self-glory and personal profit.

Many turned up at Lazarus’ house to see the one whom Jesus raised from the dead and many were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in Him. This was too much for the chief priests and Pharisees who were more determined to get rid of Jesus. Here we see Jesus in control of the situation, for He knew that the “hour” has come for Him to glorify the Father and He  was very conscious that He came into this world for this very reason. It reminds us that the death of Jesus was ordained by God even though it appeared as if men  and Satan were in control and were plotting His death; His death was no accident – His death will bring judgment on the world, drive out  Satan, and draw all kinds of people into His kingdom.