“Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, ‘That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.’ Not that he cared for the poor – he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.” – John 12:3-6
**John states that Jesus’ encounter with the woman with the perfume occurred six days before the Passover, while Matthew and Mark placed the occurrence of this event just before the Last Supper. It is wise to always remember that the main purpose of the Gospel writers was not to present an exact chronological account of Christ’s life, but to give an accurate record of his message. Matthew and Mark may have chosen to place this event just before the Last Supper in their Gospel accounts to contrast the complete devotion of Mary with the betrayal of Judas.**- NIV Study Note
Either way, we see a beautiful moment of devotion and sacrifice from Mary, the sister of Lazarus. She poured an expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair. Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, questioned her actions and suggested that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. But Jesus rebuked him and defended Mary’s act, saying that she had prepared him for his burial. (John 12:7-8)
This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of true devotion to Christ. Mary’s actions were not prompted by a desire for recognition or self-gain. Instead, she demonstrated a deep love and reverence for Jesus that compelled her to give her very best to him. She knew that he was the Messiah, the Son of God, and she wanted to honor him in every way possible.
Likewise, as Christians, we are called to give our all to Christ. We are not to hold anything back or offer him only a portion of ourselves. Our devotion to him should be complete and wholehearted, just as Mary’s was. This means putting aside our own desires and ambitions and surrendering them to Christ’s will. It means sacrificing our time, resources, and even our own lives if necessary to serve him and advance his kingdom.
At times, others may question our devotion and suggest that we are wasting our time or resources. But like Jesus, we must stand firm in our commitment to him and trust that he will use our sacrifices for his glory. We must remember that every act of devotion, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, is a precious offering to our Savior.
As we reflect on this passage, let us ask God to reveal any areas of our lives where we may be holding back from him. Let us pray for the grace and strength to give ourselves fully to Christ and to honor him in all that we do. And let us follow the example of Mary by offering him our very best, trusting that he will use it to bring glory to his name.
Former Blackout Artist 