Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to
Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a
dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those
reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard,
an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her
hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:1-3
This week is the week leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross
and His resurrection. Many things
happened during this week in Jesus’ life and reading about what Jesus did his
last week here on earth, who He was with, and especially the last 24 hours of His
life, certainly cast a new light on Easter.
I can’t imagine actually being there as one who loves Jesus and seeing
Him experience everything He went through in person. Jesus had some close friends that He no doubt
found some comfort in. Lazarus, and his
sisters, Mary and Martha, were some of Jesus’ closest friends and He chose to
spend quite a bit of time with them during His last week here on earth. Imagine
being that person – the one that Jesus Himself chooses to spend His last hours
with. What an immense honor and
privilege. He found comfort and solace
in the presence of His friends, knowing what was coming.
The night before His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus
spent the night at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. There His closet friends gathered for a
dinner in His honor. During the evening, Mary took some very expensive oil and
anointed Jesus’ feet. Wiping His feet
with her hair, she displayed her beautiful heart of humility in this act of
love and worship. She knew what He was
going to do for her. She knew He was so close
to leaving this earth and her time with Him was short. She wanted to honor Him in this way while He
was still alive rather than wait to adorn a dead body. She was showing devotion before it was too
late, in anticipation of His burial.
This act of devotion will be one of the last expressions of
tenderness that Jesus receives on earth before His death. Judas criticized her for this sacrifice of
great worth, saying the money could be spent on the poor. But Jesus took up for Mary saying, Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My
burial. For the poor you have with you
always, but Me you do not have always.
John 12:7-8.
Mary paid an extraordinary piece of respect to Jesus as she
thought nothing too good to bestow upon Him to do Him honor. She gave her most valuable treasure to
Jesus. Have you given your most valuable
treasure to Jesus? He must be honored
with all we have, and we cannot keep back any part of the price. Do we give him the precious oil of our best
affections? Let Him have them all; love and
worship Him with all your heart.
Scripture to Claim:
But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
