Anointing at Bethany

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"Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, 

where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.  

There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, 

but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.  

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 12:1-3

This is such an incredible story of a woman, Mary, who bestowed upon Jesus a very precious gift.  By anointing Him with the expensive oil she foreshadowed his death and burial.   What an incredible dinner it must have been!  Just think it was just after Lazarus' resurrection.  To be together again must have been pure joy.  We see Martha served the meal.  Does that mean service is her love language?  I wonder.  Lazarus sat at the table with Him it says.  Perhaps time was his love language?  And then Mary enters without any shame or hesitation to demonstrate her love for Jesus.  Would gifts be her love language?  Others as we read on ridiculed her for her extravagance but Jesus said "she has done a good work for Me."  And then in Mark 14:9, Jesus says where the gospel is preached her act will be as a memorial to her.  Wow!  Can you imagine the scent of the oil filling their home?  A scent that represented love, selfless giving and peace?

Thank you Lord for Mary and the example she is to us.  Help us to give ourselves completely to You.  Let it be a sweet fragrance to You and be present in our own homes!

Have a happy Sunday!