MONDAY 21 March, 2015

Anointed for Burial

Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. - John 12:3

Jesus often came to the house of Mary and Martha in Bethany. They had ahome of hospitality, as their friend, Jesus was a welcomed guest at any time. On one occasion Martha had complained to Him about Mary, she was not helping her but sat undistracted at Jesus’ feet, listening to His Word (Luke 10:38-42).

Mary was a woman of spiritual discernment and understood His suffering and death was approaching. She took an alabaster box, broke it and anointed her Lord with its contents. It was spikenard, a very costly perfume. It was one of the most loving acts of devotion she gave to her Lord. The perfume filled the whole house––she had done what she could.

Notice Judas, the Lord’s betrayer, complained against Mary’s sacrifice and influenced the other disciples to criticize her: “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denariiand given to the poor?” He had spoken with a hidden purpose as he was a thief (John 12:4-6; Mark 14:4-5). The Lord immediately stopped the complaint started by Judas and said:

“…Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could: she has come before hand to anoint My body for burial” (Mark 14:6-9).

Her sacrifice was an acceptable act of worship given to Him. It would become a memorial every time the Gospel was preached (John 14:9).

Spirit-directed giving is depending only on the Spirit of God to direct the gifts…
~Lewis Sperry Chafer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!