So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 

Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray him), said, "Why wasn't this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"

He didn't say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.

John 12:3-6 CSB

At the same time as the grace of Mary's action was permeating the house, Judas stands as the anti-fragrance. 

Anti-grace. 

In direct contrast to Mary's generous heart is Judas's selfish one.

In the middle of this big cosmic story where last week Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and next week will be entering Jerusalem in honour, on his way to the cross, on his way to save humanity, in the middle of that we have this little story of two people and their hearts exposed. 

And I want to be Mary. And maybe in some moments I am that worship filled person of generous grace, but I know that I am also self-centred deceptive Judas.

In the middle of the Big Story is this picture of our humanity. Humanity that Jesus did go to the cross for because we need him, need his grace to permeate every space in our hearts. 

#gospelofjohn

#fragrant

#grace