Encountering Jesus in Our Gratitude

Always seems odd to talk about Jesus meeting us in our gratitude. We presume we’re the actors when we’re not. Take worship for example…we think we come to give to Him but in fact, He comes to give to us. Mary’s love for Jesus here was born of her gratitude for the return of her brother Lazarus. She was tearful and sad in John 11 but is grateful and glad here in John 12. And yet, even in her gratitude Jesus meets her. Jesus receives it for what it is, namely a huge “thank you note” for blessing her with her brother yet again. And yet,