John 12:7-8 Therefore Jesus said, "Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me."

Certainly Jesus’ reply to Judas caught them all off-guard. First, He gave clear direction for the use of the remaining perfume, and it wasn’t to be sold to help the poor. Second, His reference to His burial. What? Couldn’t the one who just raised Lazarus from the dead, also rebuke the grim reaper when he came for Jesus? Wasn’t Jesus going to establish the forever kingdom of David? Third, “You do not always have Me.” Puzzling to them, but not to us. I am so glad that we live on this side of the cross and resurrection so we know exactly what Jesus meant. He came to die as our substitute so all our sins would be forgiven so that we might always have Him with us. It is precisely this confidence—His presence with us forever—that encourages us to live to love with Him today and everyday. Thank you, Jesus, for loving us and loving through and with us. We are so privileged and blessed!