Our context for this passage is Lazarus’ resurrection. The seventh and penultimate sign in John’s gospel that points to who Jesus is and what Jesus is all about. The eighth and final sign in John, highlighting the Monday of a new week in the new creation, is Jesus’ own resurrection. What began with water transformed into water now becomes death transformed into life. God’s power and purpose has been revealed by Jesus in these signs.

John’s gospel narrative of the anointing names-names; keeps score; makes contrasts.

First name we need to identify is that of Mary.
Two verses describe Mary’s actions:
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Seek the Lord while he may be found. Isaiah 55:6

Perhaps no other passage describes for us what worship is, what it does, and how rare it truly is. Bringing our all. Not just our best or scraps. Embracing sacrifice. Being intentional. Not just showing up and hoping for the best. Refusing to be focused on what others think but focusing instead on what the Father, Son and Holy Spirit deserves. Not wasteful. Worshipful. That was Mary’s response.

The second name we need to identify is that of Judas.
Judas gets singled out but he is not alone in his rejection of extravagant love.
For extravagant love also faces fierce rejection. The 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 7th signs in John’s gospel record healings followed by a backlash response of rejection.
Martin Luther explains that we are both saint and sinner wrapped up in one package.

15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15 (NRSV)

The work of the Holy Spirit is to increase our Mary response (sacrificial) and reduce the Judas response (rejection) in every one of us. We call that work of the Spirit - sanctification.

20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20–21 (NRSV)