Mary

John 12:1-11
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.


We all had probably heard and read this popular Bible story many, many times, about Mary anointing Jesus' leg with expensive perfume and wiping it with her hair. What did it speak to you of this peculiar action of Mary? Lord forgive me, but I really had no special appreciation of this story until yesterday, until when Pastor Lydia explained.

This special perfume, spikenard is said to be very very expensive. It cost 300 denarii in Jesus' time. Wow, that is actually a whole year wage for a working man. As for the women who do not work during Jesus' time, it would take a far longer time to save and purchase this special perfume. Usually the woman would save and buy this perfume to be used only for her wedding day. The fragrance is very strong and it fills the air. On the wedding day, the woman would use this perfume, scented herself and the also whole atmosphere. This special fragrance is dedicated just for the husband by the wife. It is an very expensive offering to be given to the very special husband, and the scent in the atmosphere announce to all present of this special offering by the wife. Mary offered her expensive spikenard to Jesus in front of all. This is meant that Jesus is truly special to Mary. Mary had offer a very expensive offering to Jesus.

Reflection: Can we dedicate our very best offering to the Lord? Can we also offer a very expensive gift offering to our Lord?


The situation then is tense, the Jewish leaders who are in power are losing their fellow Jews to Jesus and they intended to kill Lazarus and Jesus. In such time, to remain safe, one would choose to avoid association with Jesus. However, Mary and Martha continue to welcome Jesus into their home. Jesus had raised their brother Lazarus back to life and that is no accident. The plot to kill is on. And it is during this tense situation that Mary anoint Jesus' feet with the very expensive perfume. This had declared loud about Mary's association to Jesus. Mary is actually endangering her life in doing so.

Reflection: Do we remain faithful and not deny Jesus, even unto endangering our life and death?


Mary also let go her hair and used it to wipe Jesus' feet. In doing so, she is deemed as a prostitute by the society. Women in Jesus' time do not let down their hair, otherwise, they will be labeled as prostitute. I still don't know the reason why Mary did so, but she had risk maring her reputation and putting shame onto her name.

Reflection: Can we risk our destroying our reputation and shame our good name for Jesus' sake?


In Palestine, the feet will get dirty as people travel. They will wash their legs as they enter a house. As for VIPs, slaves will bend down to wipe these VIPs' feet. Hence it is a very humbling act. Jesus entered the house, but none washes His feet. Mary in humility, bend down and washes Jesus feet with this expensive perfume and wiping it clean with her own hair. A humbling slave's action of those days.

Reflection: Are we able to humble ourselves to serve Jesus with humble acts as such?