Mary Anoints Jesus

Mark 14v1-9

Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away.

The chief priests and the teachers of the Law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.

“But not during the Feast”, they said, “or the people may riot”.

While He was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the leper

A woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard.

She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head.

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another “Why this waste of perfume?

It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.”

They rebuked her harshly.

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus.

“Why are you bothering her?

She has done a beautiful thing to Me.

The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want,

But you will not always have Me.

She did what she could.

She poured perfume on My body beforehand to prepare for My burial.

I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

This event was mentioned in Matthew, Mark and John gospels.

John tells us that it was Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 11v1-2).

Mary’s anointing of the Lord must not be confused with a similar event recorded in Luke 7 v36-50.

The unnamed woman in the house of Simon the Pharisee was a converted sinner who expressed her love to Christ.

There were three consequences to Mary’s act of worship.

1.The house was filled with the beautiful fragrance of the ointment.

2.The disciples led by Judas criticised Mary for wasting her money.

3.Jesus commended Mary and accepted her gracious gift.

At His Feet

Mary

She sat at His feet and listened to the Word

Luke 10 v38-42

– She came to His feet in sorrow after the death of Lazarus John 11 v28-32

– She worshipped at His feet when she anointed Him with the ointment John 12 v1

Mary was a deeply spiritual woman:

– she found at His feet her blessing;

– she brought to His feet her burdens;

– she gave at His feet her best.

Every time Mary sought to do something for Jesus, she was misunderstood.

– Her sister Martha misunderstood her when Mary sat at Jesus’ feet to hear His teaching.

– Judas and the other disciples misunderstood her when she anointed Jesus.

– Her friends and neighbours misunderstood her when she came out of the house to meet Jesus after Lazarus had been buried. John 11 v28-31

When we give Jesus Christ the first place in our lives, we can expect to be misunderstood and criticised by those who claim to follow Him.

– Instead of anointing His body after His death, she did so before His death.

It was an act of faith and love.

– Nothing given to Jesus in love is ever wasted.

The act of worship brings:

– joy to the heart of Jesus;

– fragrance to the house;

– blessing to the whole world.

Mary’s devotion encourages us

to love and serve Christ with our

very best.

Mary Anoints Jesus