Bethesda Chapel, 2000
SG Bible Study #6

PERFUME FOR JESUS - JOHN 12:1-8


Warm-up question (everyone in the group should answer):

Have you ever received a gift that you thought was too extravagant? Explain.

 

Text questions. (Read John 12:1-8 just before answering these questions. Each question should be answered.):

  1. Why do you think this dinner was given in Jesus’ honour?

  1. How expensive was the perfume that Mary poured on Jesus’ feet?

  1. Besides the cost of the perfume, does anything else about Mary’s action strike you as extravagant or exaggerated?

  1. What do you think it meant to Jesus to have Mary do this?

  1. What objection did Judas raise to Mary’s act?

  1. Do you think most of the people present would have agreed with Judas on this point?

  1. When Mary poured this perfume on Jesus do you think she herself was aware that he would shortly thereafter be put to death and buried?

  1. Jesus said, ‘You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.’ Did he mean that the kind of extravagant act that Mary performed was only appropriate to that particular time, his last few days on earth? Or would similar acts of devotion be appropriate for Christians at any time?

 

Application question (everyone in the group should answer):

Think for a moment about how you might best express your love, devotion and gratitude to Jesus. Does anything specific come to mind? Share with the group.