Are you dreading Valentine’s Day? Expectations are looming as the day approaches. You may long to be on the receiving end of any gesture of friendship or love. Commercialized to the max, Valentines Day displays and ads can make you feel inadequate and unloved.

Last year, I took a class where John 12:1-8 was studied. Let’s see if the following thoughts can help you with your expectations and save you some hurt and disappointment.

In the biblical passage, we find Jesus reclining at the home of Lazarus; Mary is near Jesus. Martha is serving. 

Readers of the story have a higher view of Mary because of her outward display of devotion toward Jesus. She gave all she had to worship Jesus and shows her love to Him. The story is about one who loves lavishly.

It was six days before the Passover Feast. Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived. Lazarus was the One Jesus had raised from the dead.

The Love Story

John 12:1-8

1.Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
2.Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
3.Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; 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 one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
5.“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. ”
6.He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7. Leave her alone,” Jesus replied.  “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.
8.You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

What lavish love Mary displays.

Have you shown this kind of love toward Jesus?

Do you know how to love generously?

Compared to Jesus, we all fall short of loving big. 

But when you are devoted to Jesus, His love flows easily through you.

 Your focus changes, and obedience to Him is first. You enjoy His presence in your life. You want to share His love. You will do things you previously wouldn’t have done. Your actions are marked by faith in the One

• who loves you with an everlasting love
• who sees the purity of your heart AND
• who appreciates your selfless motivation and sacrifice

The result: You desire to please Him and you put all your hope in Him.

When you love like this, you care more about what God thinks than how another human will receive or perceive your love. This is your pain prevention remedy. Jesus knows your heart and He loves you.

As you can see, Judas’ weakness was that he cared only for himself. When he tried to deceitfully make a point about Mary’s love toward Jesus being misguided, he exposed his selfish, dark character.

The difference between Judas and Mary is stark. As stated,Judas cared only for himself, but not only that, he attempted to garner favor for his position by pulling in the poor as his cover. Acting in this way, Judas reveals his true colors.

Jesus, of course, was the one concerned for the poor, most of all. The fact that Judas tried this tactic with Jesus present exposed even more unfavorable and repulsive traits about Judas.

image by Unsplash

On the other hand, Mary is generous in her expression of love. To be clear, it was a display. Unabashed. Mary seems oblivious to the dark character sitting near her in Judas and still displays a lavish love for Jesus using a lavish product. Love does. She is one to admire and esteem.

Jesus knew both hearts, of course, and welcomed Mary’s love and worship while penetrating the darkness of Judas with a direct command to leave Mary alone.

This story thrills me. Jesus, a man willing to fellowship with friends and foes alike. And ready to defend Mary’s pure heart, willing to receive her love, and appreciate the sacrifice. Yet, in a few words, He exposes the motives and forces of evil sitting near Him.

Let us rejoice that Jesus gives true meaning to love and gives you a correct perspective to let Jesus love you as only He can. Your heart is safe with Him. Focus on your relationship with Him this Valentine’s Day.

Jesus is the answer to a dull and jaded heart. He’s the only One who can help you love lavishly. Usually, this shows up best in how we love our neighbors under our roof and around us. Jesus rewards a pure heart every time.

Mary held nothing back! She is a worthy example of one who had so richly experienced the love of Jesus and was eager to love Him back.

Are you struggling as you wait for Valentine’s Day? Here are a few ways to approach it with a focus on Jesus instead of expectations in humans. Choose one of these every day leading up to the day. Any time spent with Jesus is going to change you. So let’s get started:

-Write Jesus a love letter thanking Him for who He is and remember the price He paid so you could know Him. Thank Him for your salvation, for putting His love in your heart!

– Spend time with Jesus. Give Him your heart. Ask forgiveness for holding any part of it back from Him. Doing this will enable you to love Him.

-Look up scripture about the Love of God through Jesus His Son, or about His faithfulness.

Let Jesus protect your heart.

We see in this story, He surely will.

©Valerie Rumfelt

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