Page 9 - January 2025 - Truth & Tidings

tional level. In the same way, when we other women reactively went to the tomb
grieve, our greatest comfort comes from to anoint His body (Mar 16:1-6). But Mary
drawing near to Christ and experiencing had been proactive. Humility had opened
His generous compassion. “For we do her eyes.
not have a high priest who is unable to Judas Iscariot criticized this waste of
sympathize with our weaknesses, but one a costly substance, but Mary said noth-
who in every respect has been tempted ing. Rather, she allowed the Savior to
as we are, yet without sin. Let us then defend her, and He did. He told Judas
with confidence draw near to the throne to leave her alone and affirmed that she
of grace, that we may receive mercy and had kept this perfume for His burial and
find grace to help in time of need” (Heb had worshiped Him in a beautiful and
4:15-16). meaningful way. Without even haggling

Anointing His Feet: over the price, Judas would quickly sell
Christ for thirty pieces of silver. But Mary
Worshiping (John 12:1-8) willingly gave her Lord an alabaster flask
As the cross drew near and the Savior worth more than a year’s wages. Her only
entered Jerusalem, He was soon embroiled regret was that she could not give more.
in hostility, bitterness, treachery and Judas exploited his relationship to Christ
tragedy. But two miles out of the city in a for personal gain, but Mary treasured
homely house in Bethany, He found cher- her relationship with her Savior and only
ished respite. So, the Lord kept returning cared about His gain. By forfeiting earthly
to Bethany in the evenings throughout things, however, she gained the surpass-
the taxing week before Passover. In that ing worth of knowing Christ Jesus her
house, shortly before His betrayal, Mary Lord (Php 3:8).
copiously anointed the Lord’s feet with
very expensive perfumed oil and dried Conclusion
them with her hair. John, an eyewitness, Mary’s story is a heartwarming profile
records this act of extravagant love and of humility, faithfulness and devotion.
intelligent devotion, and remembers that As the whole house was filled with the
the house was filled with the fragrance of fragrance of Mary’s perfume, so the story
the perfume. of her warm and insightful worship has
Unlike Christ’s other followers, Mary permeated everywhere in her memory
had believed the Lord’s thrice-repeated (Mat 26:13). She encourages us to nurture
announcement about His impending our personal relationships with Christ,
death, burial and resurrection. While the to lean on Him and to honor Him. As the
disciples bickered about which one of spiritual nourishment Mary received at
them would be greatest in the kingdom, the feet of Christ can never be taken from
Mary contented herself with listening to her, so His generous support can never
her Lord and meditating on His words. be taken from us if we bear His mild yoke
Only once in the world’s history could and learn from Him. If we intentionally
the Son of God be anointed for burial. sit at the feet of our Savior and listen to
That moment was now, and one lone Him, we too may acquire Mary’s depth of
woman with spiritual discernment seized understanding, her faith and her passion
it. Days later, when the Lord had died, for the Lord Jesus Christ.

TruthandTidings.com I January 2025 9 9