Spiritual Priorities in Complex Situations John 12:1-8

John 12:1-8 (NLT) 

    Six days before the Passover ceremonies began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. [2] A dinner was prepared in Jesus' honor. Martha served, and Lazarus sat at the table with him. [3] Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus' feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance.

    [4] But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples—the one who would betray him—said, [5] "That perfume was worth a small fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor." [6] Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief who was in charge of the disciples' funds, and he often took some for his own use.

    [7] Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial. [8] You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer."

Romans 12:19 (NLT) 

    Dear friends, never avenge yourselves.  Leave that to God. For it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord.

1. Resist the temptation to take revenge, or pay back the evil that our fallen-saints deserve, especially when we have justified opportunities to do so

Proverbs 24:17 (NIV) 

    Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,

2. Even when we have opportunities to take revenge, focus on doing what is right before God, and leave the judgment and consequences to God

1 Samuel 24:4-7, 9-10 (NLT) 

    "Now's your opportunity!" David's men whispered to him. "Today is the day the Lord was talking about when he said, 'I will certainly put Saul into your power, to do with as you wish.' " Then David crept forward and cut off a piece of Saul's robe.  But then David's conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul's robe.  "The Lord knows I shouldn't have done it," he said to his men. "It is a serious thing to attack the Lord's anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him." So David sharply rebuked his men and did not let them kill Saul….Then he shouted to Saul…For the Lord placed you at my mercy back there in the cave, and some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, 'I will never harm him—he is the Lord's anointed one.'

John 12:7-8 (NLT) 

    Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial.  You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer."

3. In complex situations, prioritize our responses according to what is critical and important, rather than what is urgent or looks spiritual

                                  Priorities

1.      A healthy relationship with Christ that is growing.

2.      A genuine marriage and a close family.

3.      A healthy ministry that overflows into resourcing other leaders.

4.      A healthy body and a soul that is creative.

5.      Time to enjoy life with friends and family.