MONDAY March 25, 2024
A Day of Anointing
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
Lazarus, Mary and Martha knew the Lord personally. Jerusalem was only about two miles away from their home in Bethany, and Jesus was always a welcomed guest. In the past, the family had experienced tragedy. Lazarus had become sick and died, but Jesus, in their sorrow, made known to Mary and Martha His power. Jesus said to Martha:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
Martha confessed her faith: “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world” (John 11:27). Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Jesus’ Disciples and others witnessed Christ’s power over death. Jesus cried out, “Lazarus, come forth!” Mary and Martha’s brother came out of the tomb! ...he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth (John 11:43-44). This miracle must have remained in the minds and hearts of all who saw it.
Six days before Passover and His entry into Jerusalem, Mary of Bethany discerned that Jesus’ suffering and death were drawing close. In devotion to her Lord, she approached Him and lovingly anointed His feet with spikenard, a very costly perfume, and wiped His feet with her hair.
I wonder if Mary reflected back to the day when her brother Lazarus was raised from the dead. Mary had seen Jesus’ authority and power over death. Although she knew her Lord would suffer and die, the hope of the Resurrection was in her heart. Surely, Christ would rise again.
There is sorrow in death, but hope in the Resurrection. Do you believe this?
Without the resurrection, the cross is meaningless.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
