John 12:1-8 NKJV
Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. [2] There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. [3] Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. [4] But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, [5] “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” [6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. [7] But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. [8] For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
Join me in discovering answers to my many questions. The fundamental question is why we didn’t see in the Bible many acts of worship, like this one to Jesus while he was on earth? And why would someone, out of nowhere, pour a year’s wage worth on Jesus’s feet? I wonder what thoughts were running through Mary’s head at that time.
Let’s begin from the start. The Bible contains two separate stories that require distinction.
The story in Luke 7:36-50 happens at Simon the Pharisee’s house in Galilee, but this one takes place at Simon, the former leper’s house. Simon, the former leper, lived in Bethany of Judea, where Lazarus was resurrected, and where Mary and Martha lived.
Another precious difference between the two stories is that the woman that anointed Jesus’ feet in Luke 7 was a sinner and a prostitute. Mary, Lazarus, and Martha’s sister, who sat at Jesus’ feet while Martha served the guests, was the one anointing Jesus’ body in Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9. Mary was Jesus’ disciple and a virtuous woman.
The amusing part of this situation is that Martha is busy serving the guests and attending to practical aspects, again, while Mary is engrossed in worshiping Jesus, without even attempting to help with serving. This had happened before, and it’s happening again.
So many scenes unfolded, but only one stood the test of time, the one that unfolded with passion, devotion, extravagant love, public, and costly worship, sacrificial in its essence and personal in its beauty. Only a heart deeply in love could ever offer such lavish devotion.
John 12:3 NASBS
Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
Martha was serving the guests, attending to the needs at hand, and without her, no one could be accommodated. Lazarus sat at the table with Jesus in a place of honor and celebration. It is truly an honor to serve the Lord and attend to the needs of those who are close to Jesus. What an honor to recline at the table and share the most precious moments of intimacy with Jesus, our beloved.
It’s a great honor to be celebrated by Him. Beautiful moments that were undoubtedly in the memories of those inside that house. The time spent with Jesus is something that will leave a lasting impression and create memories that will never fade away.
But it was Mary who created the most precious moment and strongest memory of that night. She anointed Jesus’ body prophetically, making a profound worship statement without saying a word. In doing so, she captured Jesus’ attention in her sacrificial worship.
In that, we learn two things. The first one is that true devotion speaks louder than words and captures God’s heart with our extravagant love. The second is that the time spent with Jesus is something that will leave a lasting impression and create memories that will never fade away.
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