By Judy Villanueva
John 12:1-11
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.
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
The first time I read this passage I was drawn to Mary on her knees pouring expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiping them with her hair. I find myself staring at the scene as though I am in the room watching. The fragrance fills the air and the beauty of the moment starts to wash over me. This woman’s love for Jesus touches my heart with a deep yearning to learn how to love like Mary. She threw it all down, gave all she had to love Jesus. Spending a year’s wages on a pair of feet may have seemed a foolish extravagance, washing the toes of a guest was servant’s work and unbinding one’s hair in public was undignified. It’s as though she could not help but use everything at her disposal to love her dearest friend.
The second time I read this passage, I heard Jesus say “Leave her alone. It was intended that she save this perfume for the day of my burial.” A hundred thoughts go through my head as I let the power of these words speak! Jesus doesn’t say, “Oh no, Mary, it’s ok. Use the money on the poor. I’m good.” He lets her love Him! He receives her worship! Do my acts of love today become places of knelt adoration to Jesus? Do they matter and actually bless Him? Jesus understands that the best thing I can ever do is to love Him! It is what my soul most needs. And, that He protects and receives my gestures of love feels like an enfolding of grace and a sweet return of fragrant Love. Oh Lord, help me to love you like Mary.
“Thank you, Jesus, for your amazing grace! Forgive me for selfish wants and fill me with Holy power to love you well. I am awed by Your love and grateful for Your Word today that convicts and teaches me. Draw me to Your feet and receive my acts of worship today. Amen.”
What about you?
As you read this passage, what are you drawn to?
How do you love Jesus? How might you show Him love today?
God protects and receives our acts of love, and loving God is what our souls most need. Love God and others today!
