Mary of Bethany

Mary of Bethany was the sister of Lazarus and Martha. John 12:3 reads: Then Mary took a 12 ounce jar of of expensive perfume, made from the essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus' feet with it and wiped her feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance.

Jesus came to Bethany. Here he meets Lazarus, Martha and Mary, friends and followers of Jesus. Lazarus was the one Jesus had raised from the dead. Martha and Mary are preparing a dinner in Jesus' honor. Mary, wanting to be near Jesus, had to choose to leave Martha with the work. I imagine she knew this was not OK with Martha nor did it line up with the staunch expectations of men and women of her day. But her heart dictated a deep truth and she acted upon expressing it. Chastisement came from Martha for Mary's choice not to help serve. Criticism came from men in the home for her extravagance, as the story goes on to tell.

She must have sensed the absolute awesomeness of just who was present in the home - Jesus, the Son of God. Mary took the most precious and expensive item available, worth a year's wages, I understand, pouring it over his feet. It expresses humility before a majestic God, her absolute worship of him and her deep desire to be his servant. It shows great honor to Jesus.

And more, Mary must have discerned, within her, something of things to come. The time of this happening was six days prior to passover? Jesus states in John 12:7 "Leave her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial." If she was feeling a knowing, a discerning, that Christ was soon to die, Mary must have had some overwhelming emotions surging through her as she anointed him with oil and used her hair to spread it about. I doubt anything else around her, outside of Christ, held importance to her at that moment, in the light of all she was feeling in the depths of her being.

Jesus speaks to a worried Martha: "My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing to be concerned about. Mary has discovered it - and it won't be taken from her. " Luke 10:41-42 Wow! Is this not telling us where our focus should be; focused even when surrounded on every side with pressure; focused so that he can lead us, so he can reveal truth to our innermost being; focused so to realize the bigness of our God and embrace all that there is for us - for those who love him.

"And it won't be taken from her." God set before her an opportunity and led her heart to know what to do and Mary did not let man thwart her . This act was an act of faithfulness even though men about her couldn't see it as such . She would not let what she knew, that which was right to do, be "strong armed" away from her. The truth in her, at that precious moment in time, set her free and helped her stand strong, apart from the world. John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. "

Jesus was not done with this yet. Not only did he put a houseful in its place, he places her humble act of sacrificial worship in a most high standing. Jesus says in Matthew 26:13 "And she will always be remembered for this deed. The story of what she has done will be told throughout the whole world, wherever the Good News is preached."

Oh, that we will long to worship God, in spirit and in truth, for it is of such great value to him.