John 12:9-11 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was [at the home of Lazarus] and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
Throughout the New Testament, the more Jesus and God’s people speak the truth, heal the sick and raise the dead, the greater and more deadly becomes the response from the religious and secular authorities. You would think that doing good and telling the truth would be welcomed by all. But as is true then and today, truth places pressure on the authorities to conform to a different standard. Truth in God and his Son Jesus Christ entails submitting to an entirely different system or world view. The darkness hates the light.
In this story of Jesus’ anointing by Mary at the home of Lazarus we see the contrast between those devoted to Him and those devoted to themselves. Mary and Judas contrast this point. For her no expense was too great to anoint her Lord and show her devotion. Judas saw only the lost financial value of a special oil, the failure of his Lord and his soon to be shattered expectations for personal gain from following Jesus.
