They were Jesus’ closest friends. Mary, her sister Martha, and their brother Lazarus lived in the village of Bethany, not far from Jerusalem. They’re mentioned several times in the Gospels and Jesus loved the time He spent in their home. Bethany was a refuge for Him that allowed Him some time away from the crowds where He could quietly enjoy His dearest friends and closest disciples. So it wasn’t surprising that He would want to be with them on that particular Saturday evening just before the Passover feast. He knew that it would be the last Sabbath of His human life and He wanted to spend it with His friends. As the day ends, they’re enjoying the intimacy of a family meal, reclining together as Mary, Martha, and Lazarus serve as their hosts for the evening.Our eyes follow Mary as she offers food and drink to Jesus and His Apostles. She knows them all well by now, giving each one their favorite morsels and making sure everyone has all that they need. Mary’s presence in the Gospels is central on only three occasions and in each one she’s seen sitting at the Lord’s feet. We remember when her sister Martha becomes angry because Mary doesn’t help serve Christ and His friends on an earlier visit. While Martha cooks, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to Him speak (Luke 10:38-42). Next, Mary is crying in sorrow before Christ at the death of her brother, Lazarus (John 11:32), and tonight, as she brings a special offering to Christ (John 12:1-8). Tomorrow, Jesus will leave them to ride into Jerusalem as the crowds wave their palm fronds shouting, “Hosanna!” But tonight, they are at home, enjoying each other’s company. As dinner ends and everyone talks and relaxes together, Mary slips out of the room. When she returns, she’s carrying a small pint jar of a costly perfume. Worth a year’s wages, the perfume called “nard” was used in Jewish homes in times of celebration, marriage, and to anoint the dead. Tonight Mary would unknowingly use it for all three of these purposes.
As she kneels before her Savior, Mary lets loose her long hair and anoints Jesus’ head and feet with the costly mixture. It’s an intimate and tender moment of extravagant love. Imagine it unfolding between them. Smell the rich, delicious fragrance of the perfume running down over His shining hair. It envelopes His Body with its delightful aroma. His flowing tunic is soon drenched with its pungency. Wherever Jesus goes over the next week, the perfume will go with Him. The fragrance of that love will cling to Him into the Passover; into the Garden of Gethsemane; into Herod’s hall; into Pilate’s courtyard; even into the cruel hands of the men who cast lots for His robes. Just as Jesus had foretold that evening, Mary’s gift of love would be remembered throughout time. With every lash of the scourge on His back, Mary’s gift was remembered. With each nail driven in His flesh, her love was felt. The sweet fragrance of her extravagant gift stayed with Christ as He hung on the Cross and poured out His own gift of life for our salvation. One gift of extravagant love followed by the ultimate extravagance of Love Himself, dying for you and for me. Mary teaches us the disciple’s way; how to serve others, love others and adore Jesus. Don’t hold back, don’t count the cost. Be with Him. Do for Him and for all those He loves. Don’t just give a little of yourself—give everything. Give your most precious gifts. The Lord sees them and loves you for them. Pour out your love for Him wherever and whenever you can. Let your very life be that precious fragrance our Lord breathed in that night at Mary’s house in Bethany. And pray that you’ll hear the same incredible words she heard Him say about her: “She has done a beautiful thing to Me.” (Mark 14:6)
“For we are the aroma of Christ….” –II Corinthians 2:15
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