How Can We Follow Mary's Example?

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

12 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 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.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him,objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

It is one week before the Passover celebration, where Jews from all over the known world would gather to remember the Lord's deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians. An unblemished lamb from each family's flock was offered as a sacrifice to the Lord.   Little did they know that another sacrifice was going to be offered to take away their sin once and for all on Friday.  Jesus knew this moment was coming, but he takes this opportunity to be the guest of honor at the home of his good friends Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus', who Jesus just raised from the dead.  Presumably the other disciples were there, as Judas, the treasurer, was there. 

As usual Martha was busy getting preparations ready, but Mary had a different agenda.  In preparation Mary had bought an expensive perfume called "nard". It was actually called "spikenard".  It was very aromatic spice which also had medicinal qualities. It was used historically to anoint kings, and religiously in the Jewish tabernacle as incense. It was very expensive equaling roughly a daily workman's yearly wages.  Not only was it costly, but Mary showed her humility by wiping Jesus' feet with her hair. This was very unusual for a woman to do in Jesus' culture and It showed her incredible devotion to Jesus. 

Meanwhile Judas, who would later betray Jesus, was upset as he quips, "the money could have been used by the poor." We know that Judas had little care for the poor, and later he would use 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus.  Jesus affirms her gift as the proper anointing for his burial.  Jesus is once again alerting everyone that he will be dying soon.  

So what can we learn from this story?  I don't think we should misunderstand Jesus' words, "you will always have the poor with you".  He is not saying we shouldn't care for the poor, but that this gift was one given specifically to prepare him for his burial. It was fitting for the Son of God who would soon show the whole world the full extent of his love. Jesus wasn't being prideful but knew Mary had done the right thing and affirmed her publicly for it.  This is the second time she had showed her unfailing devotion to Jesus. At a previous dinner for Jesus he remarked, "Mary has done the one thing that is needful."  Mary got it right because she didn't care what others thought of her. She only cared about honoring Jesus with all she had.  

It challenges me to think about my only devotion to Jesus.  Do I choose the one thing that is needful?  Do I offer the kind of sacrifice Mary gave to Jesus that day?  One thing we know it is good and right to honor our Lord and Savior in this way!