If you ever have the privilege to travel to the Holy Land you may notice a plaque outside the church of St Lazarus in Bethany. It contains this reflection of Mary of Bethany from Luke 10:42,
“Today as in the past, the love of Jesus seeks a refuge, where he is lovingly expected and where He can rest. He finds our hearts are filled with distractions – people, work, our own interests – He longs for us to empty our hearts and lovingly receive Him.”
She was always stepping out from among the rest it seems. Mary of Bethany was her own person, who doesn't appear to let what others might think of her deter her from doing what she deems to be the best course of action at the moment.
But that was then, and now it was six days before the Passover feast, which would make it Saturday evening, the night before Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem; what we lovingly refer to today as Palm Sunday, and Mary once more chose to push caution aside and broke open a jar of a very expensive perfume that she was most likely saving as part of her dowry and o so loving pours out the entire amount to anoint Jesus in John 12:1-3,
"Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." (John 12:1-3)
Later, Mark and Matthew remember Jesus saying of Mary: “She has done a beautiful thing to me. And wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will be spoken of her, in memory of her,” (Matt 26:6 13, Mark 14:3 9.)
Mary gave her very best.
Can you imagine for a moment...
- That the costly perfume lingered the next day as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt as the crowds rejoiced!
- It lingered still, though probably fainter by now, during His last supper with His disciples.
- And in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus prayed for all of us.
- And during His arrest and trial.
- And while He was being beaten by the guards.
- And when Pilate presented Him to crowds that yelled back, "Crucify Him!"
- And while He was led out to be crucified that scent of Mary's love still lingered.
- Even as they mocked Him while He hung on the cross dying for us all.
I like to think that Jesus' last breath was mixed with the scent of Mary's gracious and loving act. I hope He hung onto the reminder of our great love for Him when He cried out, "It is finished!"
And I pray that I could be more like Mary of Bethany by pouring out all that I hold to be costly and precious for my Jesus who gave everything for me.
Blessings, sue
