Noah Herrin preaches from John 12, contrasting two responses to the resurrection of Lazarus: Mary’s grateful worship and Judas’s utilitarian critique. Mary pours an expensive jar of perfume on Jesus’ feet as an act of worship and surrender; Judas complains it’s a waste and argues the money should be given to the poor, revealing he views Jesus as useful rather than beautiful. Herrin argues the root difference is gratitude - seeing what you have (Jesus) above what you want - and that gratitude produces worship, service, and abiding. He gives a practical exercise ("measure backwards") to recover gratitude by listing past blessings and shows three healthy responses to gratitude in the text: serving (Martha), abiding (Lazarus), and worship/giving (Mary).
“"Mary responds in the way that she does because she sees Jesus as beautiful. Judas responds in the way that he does because he sees Jesus as useful."” · Noah Herrin
Take it with you
Practice gratitude intentionally: when you feel discontent, "measure backwards" by listing what God has already done in your life. Let gratitude produce action - serve others (Martha), abide in Jesus (Lazarus), and worship/give your best (Mary). Be willing to give your most valuable thing to Jesus, trusting that nothing is wasted in his hands.
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