Mary
took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped
them with her hair.
Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, loved Jesus with passionate
devotion. Her home in Bethany was not far from Jerusalem, and Jesus had visited there many
times before. She and her siblings had often hosted Jesus with food, drink, shelter, and
companionship. She had spent quiet hours at his feet and listened as he talked of the
coming Kingdom. Mary knew Jesus well. And her heart was glad whenever he appeared.
On this day, shortly before Passover, Jesus was visiting again. This
time things were different. This time, the sight of the Master filled her with sorrow.
Did she know he would soon be leaving the comfort of her home on a trip
from which he would not return? Maybe. At the very least, she knew he had powerful enemies
in Jerusalem and might not be safe there in the capitol city.
In love and concern for her beloved Jesus, Mary did the unthinkable.
She used a pound of perfume to soothe Jesus’ tired, dusty feet. This was no ordinary
perfume. It was very expensive. The amount Mary used could have been sold for the
equivalent of a full year’s wages for an average worker. The value of the balm was so
great that it might have represented Mary’s entire life savings.
No matter. She poured it over Jesus, symbolically anointing his body
for impending death. There was no holding back, no reservation, in her act of love. It
cost her dearly, but she put no price on her love for Jesus.
Gracious God, there is a cost to discipleship. Grant that we,
your servants, are willing to pay the price out of love for your Son, Jesus Christ, our
Lord, in whose name we come before you. Amen.
Dallas Cronk
