John 12 - Mary's Extravagant Act of Worship!
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[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. 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.”
Commentary
This is the second time Mary has played a significant role in the gospels. In Luke 10 when Jesus visits the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany, Martha is consumed by the many tasks getting things ready for a dinner thrown for Jesus. Martha was frustrated that her sister wasn't doing more to help her. Mary remained glue to Jesus, as he spoke. She sat in his presence as she realized there was nothing more important than this. Jesus to her,
"Martha, Martha, you are concerned about so many things, but Mary has chosen the one thing that is needful." - Luke 10:41-42
As Jesus moves toward Jerusalem and the cross six days before Passover, Jesus came back to Mary and Martha's home a week before he went to the cross. It must have been a popular place because once again they are hosting a dinner for Jesus. Martha was busy serving once again, which gave Mary the opportunity to show her love for Jesus by anointing his feet with expensive perfume. Judas objected saying it was worth a years worth of wages.
"In the midst of the supper, Mary gave a remarkable gift to Jesus. It wasn’t unusual to wash the feet of a guest, but it was unusual to do it during the meal itself, to use very costly oil of spikenard to do it, and to wipe the feet with her hair, using the hair as a kind of towel." - Guzik
Obviously Jesus didn't refuse her gift as overly extravagant or needlessly expensive. We don't know how Mary got the perfume, or how she could afford to pay for it, but obviously she thought Jesus was worth it. Mary demonstrates for us another very important aspect of worship, it is costly. But for Mary it wasn't about the money, but about her love and devotion to Jesus.
The Bible does not explicitly state how Mary of Bethany obtained the money for the expensive perfume used to anoint Jesus. However, context suggests it was likely her life savings or a deeply cherished possession, such as a dowry for marriage, valued at roughly a year's wages (300 denarii). - Renner
The bottom line is Mary made a conscious decision to give all she had to Jesus to prepare him for his death. In her mind it is probably the least she could do. I think this story is similar to the "widow's mite". You might recall the story. All of the "mucky mucks" were coming into the temple, dropping their coins in offering box looking to be seen and admired based how many coins they threw in the box.
Yet, this woman brought only a "mite" and gave as an offering to God. It was all she had. She was commended while the others were rebuffed. She gave sacrificially and they gave what was convenient.
Application
What does your worship of Jesus look like? Do you think how you worship Jesus, and what you offer him is reflective of what he is worth to you? When we truly understand the price Jesus paid for us on the cross, it should cause us to give Jesus our very best! It is a natural, organic, generous, and not given under obligation or looking to earn God's approval.
In Paul's letter to the Romans he uses the term "living sacrifice" for the proper response to what Jesus has done for us.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship
Prayer
Jesus, we thank you for your sacrifice for us on the cross so that we could be reconciled to the Father. As we have received your grace, may we not receive it in vain. May our lives be a living sacrifice given to you in gratitude for all you have done for us! Amen.
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