Consider this situation: Someone you deeply love is dying. Doctors tell you that this could be his last week of life. You want to do something memorable and meaningful for him. What would it be?
At a dinner held to honor Jesus (John 12:2), Mary anointed Him with expensive perfume made from essence of nard (or spikenard)—a special plant that grew only in the Himalayas of India. Mary’s perfume cost the equivalent of a whole year’s salary for a laborer in ancient Israel (Mark 14:5). In the Song of Solomon 1:12, 4:13, nard symbolizes the sweet aroma worn by a bride, drawing her husband to her. Some Bible teachers believe that the perfume Mary was using to annoint Jesus was her personal dowry—a treasure she had been keeping for her own wedding. It was her most precious possession.
Mary’s generous gift to Jesus invoked strong negative responses. Some dinner guests rebuked her harshly (Mark 14:4-5). But Jesus commended her. For Mary had done a “beautiful” thing (Mark 14:6 NIV). She had placed the perfume on Jesus to prepare Him for His death (Mark 14:8). Leading up to this time, He had often said that He would be betrayed, killed, buried, and that He would rise again. His disciples didn’t believe Him, for they didn’t want it to happen (Mark 8:31- 33, 9:31-32). But Mary had been listening to Jesus (Luke 10:39-42). Believing His words, she lovingly ministered to Him in His last week before He went to the cross.
The expensive perfume was Mary’s funeral gift to Jesus. She gave her very best to honor Him. Today, we’re part of Jesus’ fulfilled prophecy—we’re remembering what Mary did at that dinner (Mark 14:9).
If you were in Mary’s place, what would you have done for Jesus? What “perfume” would you have given to honor Him?
More:
Read Romans 12:1, to learn the appropriate gift for you to give to Jesus for all He’s done for you.
Next:
This coming week, what’s one good or beautiful thing you can do for Jesus? What keeps you from giving Him your all?
shalomiom on February 9, 2011 at 4:50 am
May our simple lives be a Song of Praise. If I have to sing just one Song to the Lord, creator of Life, may my life be that Song, resounding in Praise for the goodness and Glory of God!.
lindagma on February 9, 2011 at 6:51 am
I don’t know that Mary knew this was preparation for death. I’m not a Bible scholar so I don’t speak with authority. My spirit tells me that she loved Jesus so much she felt compelled to give to him the most valuable thing she had. To me, it was a gift of love. Probably the most difficult thing for me to give is my will. I am a survivor of abuse and have a tremendous pull to “control” my world. Letting go of that control and trusting God is my gift…it will be a continuing effort until I’m in eternity.
GrowinginChrist on February 9, 2011 at 8:04 am
This is a timely message for me. I am caring for my husband who is wasting away with cancer. I know, that I know, that I know, that God has the final say in our situation. The way that I am honoring Christ, is doing the very best I can to keep his meds in him and make him comfortable as he does not want to die in a hospital. I honor Christ by praying without ceasing. I honor Christ by singing hymns when his pain hits him so hard and he lashes out at me. I honor Christ by reading my bible and seeking asnswers. I honor Christ by finding a quiet place outside and spending time in his prescence. Yes, Mary’s annointing act was an act of pure love for Christ.
timc611 on February 9, 2011 at 8:50 am
… my brother mike went to heaven 11/15 /2010 the week before he gathered us all to tell us the end was near..god gave me the strength to be at his side when the last breath was drawn, he went so very peaceful knowing he was going to be with christ..god turned my tears of pain and sorrow, into tears of comfort , peace , and joy in a moment of his resurection power, and soverignty, ..i have such a new comfort knowing god is close to the broken hearted, i hope if i was with jesus the week before that i could give him comfort
followingHim on February 9, 2011 at 9:50 am
The perfume and ointment vials of the time were made of one piece, and sealed. Mary’s vessel was opened by breaking it. They could not be opened so that some of the contents could be removed, and closed up again. The nard was to be used–in its entirety–all at once.
What Mary offered up was an “all, or nothing” gift, just as her nard, and her love, would have been offered up to her husband on her wedding night. Just as Christ, his body broken, offered His life, His everything for the remission of our sins.
And just as we should sacrificially offer up our everything for our Lord.
afia on February 9, 2011 at 10:56 am
i guess for me, and it sounds silly, it would be my college and career, marriage because i grew up in an abusive family i didn’t really have a happy childhood and homelife, it was all I had. mostly my education meant alot because we were poor and that meant i could go and do things my ppl didn’t get a chance to, like marriage etc, so laying it down for jesus always seemed like it would be so much because it cost so much to attain. In fact at first I was angry, b/c i felt like we worked sooo hard and now you asking me to lay this down. I was upset. But God has agreater purpose..but it is costly. Otherwise it wouldn’t be a sacrifice.Others maybe it isn’t a big deal, by being decendent from slaves I know the price of an education, ppl were beaten and such to get ‘ahead’ so to speak, and to have information and you have poverty and struggle without it, so honestly it broke my heart when God asked me to give this up b/c i knew the price involved. I thought how could you ask for this, esp to not have it would mean going back to slavery so to speak..but I suppose I truly have to focus on Jesus and what HE did for me, and that the best things in life don’t cost money. And it also makes me an idolater..And you know there’s another generationThanks.
daisymarygoldr on February 9, 2011 at 6:25 pm
afia, I can relate to education meaning a lot because you were poor. My grandmother was also a poor single mother. She sacrificed her life to the point of going without meals to educate her children. Personally, because of my grandma’s motivation, I was able to pursue and reach the highest rung on the education ladder. I do not worship or take pride in my career. It is a gift of God and enables me to earn my livelihood.
What made you decide to give up College, career and marriage? Did God speak to you through any specific Bible verse? Today’s devotional post is teaching us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God (Rom 12:1).
I was really touched by your comment and pray for God to give you all the desires of your heart.
eppistle on February 9, 2011 at 11:38 am
Mary’s gift was extravagent. I tend to like to be reasonable. Yet according to Romans 12:1 (NKV) giving anything less than extravagence is unreasonable: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
daisymarygoldr on February 9, 2011 at 5:55 pm
My life is that alabaster jar of spikenard. It is my heart’s desire for my life to be broken and offered as a living sacrifice to God. It is my prayer for the Holy Spirit to put my sinful nature to death (Rom 8:13)—to keep my life chaste and pure (Eph 5: 1-5). I want to pour out my life as the precious “perfume” for Christ.
I know it will cost me everything. But I have decided to offer it anyway. It will make me look foolish and there will be criticism. Some will see my gift as an utter waste. But that does not bother me.
As far as I am concerned, perfume speaks of a bride’s burning desire for intimacy with her bridegroom which she expresses in total abandonment, without caring for cost or criticism.