Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always." --John 12:1-8
To My Sweet Daughters,
This supper takes place in the town of Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper...well, former leper. It occurred 6 days before Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and just prior to the most difficult week of his life. Neither Matthew nor Mark name this woman. John, however, does and identifies her as Mary of Bethany...the sister of Lazarus and Martha. We see Mary three times in the New Testament and all three times she is at the feet of Jesus worshiping or listening attentively . Her utter devotion to Jesus is in sharp contrast to Judas' treachery in this story.
There is so much in this one short section of Scripture...so many applications for our lives. The Scripture tells us that they made Jesus supper. Then it says that Mary took a pound of costly spikenard oil and anointed the feet of Jesus. In Mark's version we find that she broke the flask and poured it on His head also. Mary honored Christ with the best that she had. She did not want to give Him anything that cost her nothing. Her gift was lavish and from her heart. The amount spoken of would be equal to a year's wages. Her gift was sacrificial...it cost her much.
Scripture goes on to say that she wiped the feet of Jesus with her hair. The hair of a woman in Scripture represents her glory...Mary laid her glory at Jesus' feet in humble love and devotion. It is a beautiful picture of a heart given over completely to her Lord and Savior. The house was filled with the scent of fragrant oil...
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?--2nd Corinthians 2:14-16
One of the consequences of Mary's act of worship was criticism. Judas begins the criticism saying that the flask of perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor and the disciples join in. John tells us that Judas' motives were not pure...that he cared not for the poor but wanted the money for himself. In fact, even at the last supper the disciples were still thinking Judas was concerned for the poor.
Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly." But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. --John 13:26-29
Whenever, you give your best to the Lord, like Mary did, there will be people who will criticize and misunderstand. No matter how beautiful your best is, there will be attempts to sully it. They may have wrong motives like Judas or the glow of your light for Him highlights their own sin. They will defend themselves by attacking you. Rejoice! You have become the aroma of Christ. That. is. a. good. thing.
Jesus rebukes Judas and tells him to "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always." Now most commentators will say that Mary did not know what she was doing when she anointed Jesus with the oil of spikenard. Mary spent much time at the feet of Jesus listening to His words. Hanging on to them. I believe that she showed Him her love and devotion while He was still alive knowing He was going to die as He had predicted. Jesus had told the disciples and spoke plainly that He would be killed, buried and rise from the dead. Maybe they did not understand it...but I believe Mary did.
Jesus saw Mary's heart. It didn't matter what anyone else thought of her gift...Jesus was pleased. That should always be our goal...to please Him. Let others say what they may...Mary's name is associated with fragrant oil and what she did is written about in three out of the four gospels. Hear what Jesus says in the gospel of Mark about this specific act of worship by Mary.
For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her." --Mark 14:7-9
Wow...a memorial to her. Jesus words have, of course, come to pass. Her gift of worship has blessed many who came after her and has served as a beautiful example of humble, singular devotion to Jesus. Though dead...she still speaks! Contrast Mary's pure love for Jesus with Judas' treachery and evil. Though dead he still speaks. His name is synonymous for treachery in the dictionary.
Proverbs 10:7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.
Love
Mom
No comments:
Post a Comment