Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

-John 12:1-8 (NLT)

The table is set. Close friends are ready to share a meal together. One among them is beginning the final week of His life. In the coming days, Jesus will be unjustly arrested, tried, and crucified. Knowing what’s to come, perhaps Jesus desires this intimate gathering with a few who love Him dearly. These siblings-- Mary, Martha, and Lazarus-- were personally transformed by Jesus’s resurrection power just months earlier when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Now it’s their turn to honor their friend.

In the middle of the meal, Mary does something unexpected. She anoints Jesus with perfume worth a year’s wages! She humbly wipes his dusty feet with her hair. This act of service confounds Judas, who scoffs at Mary’s extravagance. As one already set to betray Jesus, Judas’s heart is far from Jesus, while Mary’s heart worships Him. 

Ancient kings, like David and Solomon, commonly received an anointing with oil as a mark of authority, honor, and loyalty. (1 Samuel 16:12-13; 1 Kings 1:36)  Perhaps in the same way, Mary chose to anoint Jesus as her King, offering her absolute best to declare Him Messiah and Lord to everyone present.

Later in the week, Jesus would be crowned “King of the Jews” with sharp thorns and mocking indictments. Yet at this farewell meal, He received a loving mark of the One True King, a fragrant offering that would cling to His body during the hardest days of His life.

For Further Reflection:

Mary sets a good example for us as we enter Easter week. Have you humbly poured out your best to Jesus as your anointed King? Jesus, show me how to serve You each day with my time, talents, and treasures. I honor You as King over all, in my life and the one to come.