Beyond Common Sense

If I know my audience, and I think I do, you are familiar with the story of Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet. You are probably aware of the costliness of the anointing oil she used. But on this very special week, let’s take another look.

1. Her timing:
   • Jesus has raised Lazarus, Mary and Martha’s brother, from the dead—possibly just a few days to a week ago. He has returned to their house for a meal. (If you have not watched this scene on “The Chosen,” I can’t recommend it enough! Dallas Jensen does a remarkable job of capturing every angle, thought, and attitude. Focus on every face and consider each person’s character and reaction.)
   • It is probably Saturday, the day before His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Everyone is waiting and watching for Jesus.
2. Her dedication:
   • The spikenard is costly, VERY COSTLY! Some say that it was worth a year’s wages! Can you grasp this? Would you take something that cost you $60,000 and pour it out onto the feet of Jesus? Can we put this into our mindset? What do I have that would cost so much? Would I mortgage my house and give $60,000 of it to the cause of Christ? Would I be willing to work for less as a missionary or pastor, or Christian school teacher :)? Would I sacrifice my gain for His cause, His glory?
   • She wiped His feet with her hair. It was a disgrace for her to show her hair in public. Granted, this was done in her home, but there were men present who would have been offended by this action. Am I willing to let my reputation go for the cause of Christ? Am I willing to give up what others think of me to do something “out of the box” for His cause? Or will I be like so many who will strip the trees of their branches and shout, “Hosanna” one day and four days later cry “Crucify Him!”

David Guzik shares this: In all of this, Mary is a study of devotion to Jesus. “The life of Mary is painted for us, in three memorable pictures, in each of which she is at the feet of Jesus.

• Luke 10:39: Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and learned.
• John 11:32: Mary fell at Jesus’ feet and surrendered.
• John 12:3: Mary anointed Jesus’ feet and honored Jesus.” (Erdman)

God has something that He wants each of us to do. Not every disciple of Jesus anointed his feet with spikenard, only Mary. Not everyone was SUPPOSED to anoint His feet. What is it that Jesus wants you to do? Does it sound crazy? You’ll never regret doing it if you’ve been given the green light from God! It’s the costly things—costly to us—that Jesus wants. That’s why he told the rich young ruler to sell all that he had, give it to the poor, and follow Him. He didn’t want the man’s money! He wanted the man’s heart.

“You must sit at his feet, or you will never anoint them; he must pour his divine teaching into you, or you will never pour out a precious ointment upon him” (Spurgeon).

In 2015, I wrote a poem about this called “Mary’s Part.” It’s one of my favorites!