Wednesday Morning Scripture (Wk38/2022) – John 12:1-8

Mary Anoints Jesus

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom He had raised from the dead.

2 So they gave a supper for Him there. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.

3 Then [1]Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure [2]nard, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, the one who was going to betray Him, said,

5 “Why was this perfume not sold for [3]three hundred denarii and [the money] given to the poor?”

6 Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor [for he had never cared about them], but because he was a thief; and since he had the money box [serving as treasurer for the twelve disciples], he used to pilfer what was put into it.

7 So Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep [the rest of] it for the day of My burial.

8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

John 12:1-8 (AMP

Footnotes

  1. John 12:3 There were two anointings of Jesus. This one in Bethany by Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (Matt 26:7; Mark 14:3), and the other in the area of Galilee by an unnamed woman (Luke 7:37, 38).
  2. John 12:3 This was a thick, scented oil obtained from the root of a flowering plant grown in the Himalayas of Tibet and in the northern regions of India and Nepal.
  3. John 12:5 I.e. about a year’s wages for an ordinary workman.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Developing Devotion

To the devoted and dedicated Mary of Bethany who would sit at my feet ready to listen and love me, I promised she had chosen what was better and that it would not be taken away from her.

You see, she knew how to receive my word and draw on me. She knew me. She demonstrated her surrender to me and my ways so much that she didn’t need to defend herself when others criticised her; she didn’t get easily distracted.

But what I want to emphasise now is the way she trusted in me, in all seasons of her life. Ask me what season are you in just now and what do you need? Mary had a season of learning, mourning, and celebrating. She knew when to receive and when to act.

Her learning was spending time with me and because she knew me she was able to release her grief to me when her brother Lazarus died (John 11:32). She actually left her friends who had come to mourn with her to quickly find me, her ultimate comforter. Her celebration and thankfulness was demonstrated when she showed such extravagant devotion by anointing me with fragrant oil. And again because she knew me she kept on worshipping when others were criticising her (John 12:1 – 8).

Activation: Ask Jesus to show you what He wants to emphasise today. Is it time to sit at His feet and learn (which is symbolic of a teachable spirit) and to spend time in friendship. Or is it time to trust Him on a deeper level with your emotions? Is this a time to worship and trust despite others criticism? Ask Him to help you develop devotion and dedication to Him.

But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:42 (NKJV)

But Jesus said let her alone; she has kept this for the day of my burial.

John 12:7 (NKJV)

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.

Psalm 27:4 (NKJV)

#lionbites

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Speak Jesus

Are you overwhelmed by the obstacles in front of you?

Before David became King, he faced Goliath, and like David there will be some difficulties you will have to overcome. But do not fear the adversity going on around you because when it seems like all hope is gone, I will amaze you. Like the widow’s oil, I will keep filling what you offer.

In me, you will stand before your giant, slingshot and stone in hand, and we will watch the giant fall.

Activation: Make a list of the challenges you face; the obstacles, pain, perceived limitations, and trials. When you are finished, write and speak Jesus over each one as an act of surrender and watch me go to work on your behalf.

David defeated Goliath with a sling and a rock. He killed him without even using a sword.

1 Samuel 17:50 (CEV)

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV)

#lionbites

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – God of the Second Chance

I’ve watched you running the race I planned for you; I saw you trip and believe that you had messed up. It grieved Me as I saw you walk away, mistakenly believing you’d missed your chance to ‘shine for Me.’

My child, that is so far from the truth.

I am with you every step of the way. I don’t count the failures and I don’t want you to carry shame or guilt. If you look up and meet my gaze, you’ll see my outstretched arms, desperate to embrace you and remind you that nothing can separate you from My faithful love and acceptance.

I want you to hear, “You’re my happy thought, there is still hope.”

I savour opportunities to offer a second chance. When you truly seek forgiveness for your sin, I’m eager to forgive because I love everything I created you to be and my nature is to delight in merciful forgiveness.

Activation: Receive His forgiveness today. Ask the Lord to forgive whatever you’ve done. Wait and listen until you hear in your Spirit, “You’re forgiven’ in response to your apology. It will be like music to your ears and your Spirit will soar as you step into the freedom of Christ.

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

Micah 7:8 (NIV)

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].

1 John 1:9 (AMP)

#lionbites

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Be My Hands & Feet

Just as I love and have plans for you, I love and have plans for those around you. When you reach out in my name to those I send you, you become my hands and feet. Then the world around you will taste and see my goodness.

Be my light.

Be my city and beacon on a hill; do not shrink back.

Overcome evil and darkness with my goodness and light.

Allow me to love those around you, through you.

Give me permission to go before you.

Activation: Ask the Lord to reveal to you someone whose life he wants to touch through you today. Pray and discern the way He wants to bless this person through you.

And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Romans 10:15 NLT)

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:14 (NLT)

#lionbites

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Sacrifice of Praise

I’m reshaping and remoulding you into a vessel fit for use in My house. I am shattering the old structures that have grown hard and rigid because they aren’t flexible enough to hold the new wine of My glory.

For those who have kept themselves soft and pliable in My hand, who have humbled themselves at the Potter’s wheel, I will reform them into a great priesthood who will serve me continually with the sacrifice of praise. I will entrust them to carry My Spirit into all the earth, proclaiming My Kingdom and Lordship over the nations. Because these burning ones have kept close to My refiner’s flame, they have been purified of anything that would make them brittle or weak, becoming supernaturally strong in the process. These are ones who have broken their hearts open for Me, so I will break open a way for them in the coming days. I will lead My people out in jubilant praise and adoration that will shift people and nations for My Kingdom.

It is time to pour out your praise upon the earth!

But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

Jeremiah 18:4 (NIV)

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

Jeremiah 13:15 (NIV)

#lionbites

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – Overflow

The Lord is saying, ‘Beloved, the love I share is not to be held back from anyone, for I will show mercy to those I choose. Furthermore, I have chosen you to share that personal love through Jesus, my Son. There is a gap between what you know in your lives and what you are able to share with others.

BE FILLED to overflowing with my love, my joy, and my compassion for you.

Take my heart for the world and overflow from the Spirit who lives in all you who have called on the name of Christ for salvation. There is an abundance to go around. I am eternal. You cannot outgive me.’

The scriptures declare the fast that the Lord chooses: to loose the chains of injustice, to set the oppressed free, share food with the hungry, provide the poor wanderer with shelter and clothe the naked (See Isaiah 58:6-7).

6 “[Rather] is this not the fast which I choose, to undo the bonds of wickedness, to tear to pieces the ropes of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free and break apart every [enslaving] yoke?

7 “Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not to hide yourself from [the needs of] your own flesh and blood?

Isaiah 58:6-7 (AMP)

The challenge is great and the harvest is ready for gathering.

Be blessed to overflowing in the spiritual blessings from the heavenly places in your words, deeds, and hearts.

Declaration: The greatest days in church history are not in the past; they are in our present and our future!

And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!

Romans 5:5 (TPT)

#lionbites

Hunger and Thirst for Jesus | Passion For Christ | A Blessed Morning Prayer To Begin Your Day

Further reading…

Discipleship Is Costly

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].

25 For whoever wishes to save his life[in this world] will [eventually] lose it[through death], but whoever loses his life[in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 16:24-26 (AMP)

Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart,

Luke 18:1 (AMP)

but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP)

15 Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people],

16 [1]making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.

17 Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15-17 (AMP)
Footnotes
1 Ephesians 5:16 The Greek word in this verse means “buy up at the market place.” Opportunity is regarded as a commodity to be used by believers.

Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken].

Colossians 3:21 (AMP)

I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14 (AMP)

But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 3:20 (AMP)

Do Not Love The World

Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2:15