“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” John 12:3
Many have spoken of this scripture, of Mary’s act, of the very gift itself, some of the response of those around her; but for this moment consider this one thing:
The very act of Mary’s devotion.
One can say, and believe that they “love” many things in this life; there are many gifts to give, much appreciation to receive. Yet, this was an act of devotion of such magnitude that the Lord Jesus Christ spoke this of it:
“She has done what she could. She has come aforehand to anoint My body to the burying (for burial). Verily, I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”
That is quite the memorial! This act to be spoken of ANYWHERE in the world where the gospel is preached!
It may seem that Mary knew more than the disciples knew about Christ’s burial; but in reality her love and devotion for the Lord transcended mere knowledge, into a place within the spirit, within the heart, that which responds to the Lord in utter abandon.
No woman dared let her hair down in public, lest they should believe her to be of ill character; no woman would have walked into a gathering of men and singled out a man before ALL, let alone pour out her most precious possession. Yet, Mary did just that, without the logical explanations of why she would do such a thing; except out of an urgency to express to “the Resurrection and the Life” her great love, admiration, respect, nay- WORSHIP!
Paul had this same attitude of devotion and worship when he wrote:
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him……….” Philippians 3:8,9
Devotion is an action that springs from an unfeigned heart of love
and is expressed with utter worship,
without restraint due to fear of men or self protection.
Devotion, true devotion is that sweet smelling savor to God,
the aroma of Christ who counted all but loss for the will of His Father in heaven…
”And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2: 8-11
Fill our hearts, Oh God, with true devotion, with Christ Himself the author of true devotion and Eradicate every bit of fear or doubt, self preservation or pride, that would hinder our hearts from becoming like Christ. amen