Scripture:
Mark 14:1-9 & John 12:1-8
Though the raising of Lazarus and
Mary’s anointing are very familiar stories to me the proximity to JESUS own
death, burial, and resurrection overwhelmed me in a completely new way
today. This story took place six days
before the Passover. John has just said
in John 11:57 that the chief priests and the Pharisees had issued a warrant for
His arrest. The time is very near. JESUS is moving into danger not away from
it. This is the Passover when He will
die.
JESUS was having a special dinner
with His friends. They were honoring
JESUS for raising Lazarus from death.
Lazarus was reclining right there with them. Mary then took expensive ointment, about the
size of a soda can, made from pure nard (a highly valued fragrance) and
anointed JESUS’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The house was overwhelmed with the fragrance.
We know about Judas’ objection
but let’s focus on Mary’s expression of love, value, and worth that she felt
toward JESUS. Mary realized intimacy
with JESUS and to know Him, to see Him for who He was, to hear His incredible
teaching, to experience His healing touch, and to have authentic fellowship
with Him is infinitely more valuable to her than the money used to purchase the
expensive perfume. JESUS brought her
brother back to life! There is no way to
measure the value of that.
Mary took that which was the most
beautiful thing that she had, her hair, and used it to wash JESUS’ feet, the
lowliest part of JESUS. She turned her
hair into a rag to wash JESUS’ feet.
This is truly the ultimate foot washing expression.
Judas could not begin to
comprehend what Mary was doing because he was so focused on the material
thing. That’s what happens when we allow
the things of this world replace our worship of JESUS who is LORD and KING.
JESUS did not want Judas to rob
Mary of her thrill, her gratitude, her amazement, her wonder, or her love for
Him. The mind set of Judah at the tomb
would be: so much for that Messiah; so
much for that way to find victory over our enemies. What a waste!
What a failure! But the mind set
of Mary and those who believe as she believes will be one filled with love and
hope as she stands by the tomb in six days.
If anyone tells you to moderate
your love for JESUS, do not listen! Let
your affections for JESUS be lavish! Do
not allow the cares of this world rob you of the riches JESUS has to
offer! Do not allow anyone to tell you
JESUS’ death is anything less than triumph over death. JESUS is the resurrection and the life. “Whoever believes in Him, though he die, yet
shall he live. Whoever lives and believes
in Him shall never die (John 11:25-26).”
JESUS is Risen . . . !
Richard Holloman
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