IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

A Life of Love

Date: May. 10, 2024

Passage

John 12:1-11 (ESV)

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 12:3

Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Mary loved Jesus deeply. In this passage, Mary expressed her love for Jesus by anointing his feet with expensive perfume and wiping it with her hair. Love compelled her to express herself in this way while Jesus was with her. Through her act of love, her relationship with Jesus grew deeper. While it may have seemed like a waste, Jesus graciously received her, saying it was meant for the day of his burial.

Jesus always welcomes and accepts us as we are, no matter what others think. The Word became flesh, not just to tell us the right way to think or act, but to have a relationship with us. Love is not a feeling but a vulnerable expression from the depth of our hearts and the tender embrace of it. Living a life of love is an expression of who we are to God and God’s embrace of us.

Prayer: Lord, in our vulnerability, you embrace us. May your love compel us to continue to open our hearts to you and grow in love.

One Word: Love while you can

Daily Bread

“look, I Am Coming Soon”

Revelation 22:10-21

Key Verse: 22:12

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.

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