John 12:1-8; Mark 14:3-9
Mary did not come to Jesus empty-handed that evening. She came with intention. John tells us that a supper was made for Jesus in Bethany. Martha was serving, Lazarus was at the table, and Jesus was there among them (John 12:1-2). Lazarus, who had once been in the tomb, was now alive by the mercy and power of Christ. Martha served, as we have seen her do before. And Mary came again to the feet of Jesus.
This moment was not born in a rush. It was born out of relationship. Mary had been at Jesus’ feet before, listening to His words and receiving what He taught (Luke 10:39). She had fallen at His feet in grief after Lazarus died (John 11:32). Now she came to His feet in worship. Passover was drawing near, and the cross was only days away. Mary may not have understood the fullness of what was coming, but her love for Jesus moved her to bring what was precious.
John tells us she brought “a pound of very costly oil of spikenard” and anointed the feet of Jesus (John 12:3 NKJV). Mark tells us she broke the alabaster flask and poured the oil on His head (Mark 14:3). Mary’s gift was not something that cost her little. The oil was worth about three hundred denarii, close to a year’s wages (John 12:5). This was not a casual gift. It was costly, sacrificial, and deeply personal.
Once the perfume was poured out, there was no gathering it back. John says, “And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil” (John 12:3 NKJV). Everyone in the room was touched by the fragrance of what Mary gave to Jesus. Her worship could not be hidden. It filled the house.
Then Mary did something even more humbling. She wiped His feet with her hair. In that culture, for a woman to let down her hair in public would have been viewed as improper or shameful. Yet Mary seemed far more concerned with honoring Jesus than with how she might be seen by others. She came low before Him, not trying to protect her dignity, but pouring out her love.
Judas saw the same moment and called it waste. “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” (John 12:5 NKJV). On the surface, his words sounded practical, even compassionate. But John tells us the truth: Judas did not care for the poor. He was a thief, and as keeper of the money box, he used to take what was put in it (John 12:6).
What Mary poured out in love, Judas measured in profit.
But Jesus saw her gift for what it was. He said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial” (John 12:7 NKJV). Mark records His words this way: “She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial” (Mark 14:8 NKJV).
Those words should have stopped everyone in the room. Burial. Jesus was speaking of His death, yet Scripture does not record anyone asking what He meant. It is as if the word passed by unnoticed. They were still thinking about the cost of the perfume, while Jesus was speaking of the cost of the cross.
Mary’s act of devotion pointed ahead to His burial. Whether she understood all of it or not, Jesus did. The head she anointed would soon wear a crown of thorns. The feet she touched would soon be nailed to the cross. The body she honored would soon be laid in a tomb.
After the Sabbath, women would come to the tomb with spices to anoint the body of Jesus, but they would never have the chance. When they arrived, the stone had been rolled away, and Jesus had risen (Mark 16:1-6). They came prepared to honor Him in death, but death could not hold Him. Mary’s act in Bethany had already become an anointing before His burial.
Jesus said, “Wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:9 NKJV). Mary did not worship so she would be remembered. She worshiped because Jesus was worthy. Yet here we are, still telling the story.
Sometimes devotion to Jesus will be misunderstood. Sometimes obedience will look foolish to people who do not understand your love for Him. But Jesus sees what is offered from a heart of love. He receives what is poured out before Him in faith.
Mary gave what was costly because Jesus was worthy. And when we remember the cross and the empty tomb, how can we not offer Him our whole hearts?
Truth to Carry
What is poured out in love for Jesus is never wasted. He is worthy of our worship, our devotion, and our whole heart.
Foundations in Scripture 