God's Glory First

(John 12:1-10 NIV)
God's desire is that he receive glory. His created all things to worship him. When we focus on working for him, serving him, or serving others without the priority of glorifying him, we often become discouraged, frustrated or even bitter.

A group had gathered in Bethany at Lazarus' home. Many had come to see Lazarus (a dead man made alive). All had come to see Jesus, the one who had raised him from the dead. Only one truly grasped the person of Jesus.

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. (John 12:3)

This was the same Mary who had worshiped Jesus in Luke 10. There Jesus had said, "There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." Again, Mary, when in Jesus' presence was focused on him. Martha, bless her heart, certainly loved Jesus, but just as in Luke 10, in this story, she was again busy serving. We are called to serve. But, we are called to love God first. Perhaps, our priority is what leads to our weariness or discouragement.

Then, there's Judas, supposedly worried about the poor. When Judas' berated Mary's actions, Jesus quickly responded, "Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” We discover in this that Judas' was focused on material things and personal position. He was not at all focused on the person of Christ. Ironically, we have the poor with us always because as a church we haven't responded to their need. Jesus knew that Judas, if he had the money from the perfume, would squander it. Perhaps, we're not blessed because he knows the same of us.

In Jesus' final prayer before his crucifixion (John 17), we discover his "work."

1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. 6 "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are ours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.

Some form of glory to God is mentioned six times in this portion of his prayer. Amazingly, as Jesus prayed for his disciples -- and for us -- he prays that HE is glorified in us. That is our calling -- to bring glory to God; to point the world to Him. Serving, meeting the needs of the poor, and all manner of good works should be results of our love for God. But, let's make sure we have the priorities in order. Love God first. Glorify him first. Seek him first. And from this, display Him to the world through how we live for Him and for others.