Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. – John 12:1-3
We begin our Holy Week journey with Jesus at the home of some dear friends. Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary lived in Bethany, only a few miles from Jerusalem, and Jesus often was a houseguest when he visited the city. Now, much has been made of the extravagance of Mary’s gift. She poured an entire bottle of costly perfume upon Jesus’ feet. Some have seen it as a wasted gesture. After all, it could have been sold and the money given to help the poor. However, Jesus honored her gift, knowing that it would be her last act of great devotion before his death. And the recounting of this self-less and humble act of devotion has filled the whole church with a sweet fragrance for centuries.
Prayer: Gracious Lord, as we begin this Holy Week journey, we confess that our words and actions do not always match. We offer praise and thanksgiving on Sunday but our actions often fall short of the devotion we profess. Like Mary, may our actions be pleasing in your sight and a source of light and inspiration to others. Amen.
Bill Britt
