Learning From the Story of Mary Anointing Jesus’ Feet With Perfume
By Xiaoxin
One day, when I studied the Bible, in the scriptures, I had the memorial scene of Mary anointing the feet of the Lord Jesus with perfume. This is what Mary did before the Lord Jesus was crucified, which rendered comfort to God’s heart and was commended by Him. Why was she able to do this? Through prayer, I have gained some knowledge, so please allow me to share it with you.
First, her focus on listening to the Lord’s words quietly is integral to her good deeds.
Mary’s old sister Martha busied herself with the tasks of serving the Lord outwardly, meanwhile Mary sat at the Lord Jesus’ feet, listening to His words. When Martha complained to Jesus, the Lord Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42). The Lord’s response allows us to realize: He doesn’t want to see us only work hard, nor does He require us to show wonderful hospitality to serve Him. Rather, He wants us to frequently come before God, carefully listen to His teachings, put His words into practice and understand His will, so we can gain the greatest blessing. So I think: Mary focuses on listening to the Lord Jesus’ preaching, sees His words and work have authority and power, enabling her brother Lazarus back to life—All of these things make her obtain some true knowledge of the Lord, so that she is able to anoint Jesus with expensive perfume, which is in harmony with the Lord’s heart.
However, when I reflect on myself in my belief, I find that I seldom quiet myself before God and listen to and ponder His words like Mary. Instead, I often busy myself with outward things and hard work. Mary’s story makes me understand: God likes those who come before Him frequently, pay attention to listening to His words, ponder His words with their hearts, and God often works in such people.
Second, Mary is so overwhelmed with love and awe for the Lord. She takes action when she grasps the Lord’s will. She willingly forsakes her fleshly interests and doesn’t care how others see her.
The Bible says, “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 odor of the ointment” (John 12:3). During dinner, by breaking the alabaster jar, Mary was honoring Jesus by anointing Him with oil, with something that was valuable to her and wiping His feet with her hair, without worrying about other people’s eyes. This describes Mary’s wholehearted devotion and faith to the Lord. But the disciples were displeased with her unusual behaviors, and one disciple, Judas objected, “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” (John 12:5). Faced with the blame, Mary didn’t explain anything. So we can see that Mary’s deed is not the spur of the moment, but out of her love for the Lord.
Later, the Lord Jesus spoke for Mary, “Let her alone: against the day of my burying has she kept this. For the poor always you have with you; but me you have not always” (John 12:7-8). The Lord’s words expressed His attitude that He commended Mary’s act of devotion.
On the other hand, Mary offered up her most valuable treasure to the Lord, to show her sincere love for the Lord; she loved the Lord more than herself. It is recorded that the perfume was equivalent to a whole year’s salary, very costly, and possibly tied to her hope for marriage. It was often saved for a young woman’s wedding day, making a girl look good and glamorous. The disciples call the action a waste. But Mary gave it all because she knew that the Lord Jesus is worth it. Judas’s love of money caused him to say those words. Actually, he was simply self-centered and didn’t love the Lord. He suggested that Mary could sell this jar of perfume to help a lot of poor people, and this was a hypocritical statement. Later, Judas betrayed the Lord for the sake of less than half the price of the perfume. Clearly, there was no place for God deep in his heart, and he was a hypocrite.
Moreover, Mary anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped the Lord’s feet with her hair—it can be seen that Mary honored the Lord as great and saw herself insignificant. That is why she could put aside her pride and ignore others’ scolding. Mary’s act was far more than a kind gesture of respect and adoration, it was out of her faith and love for the Lord. This was something that brought God comfort.
Thinking of this, I feel ashamed of myself. Many times, I clearly know the Lord’s requirement, but I just cannot put it into practice, because I value my own interests too much, and have no real faith and love for the Lord. Specifically, the Lord asks us to be honest. But I am always afraid of my interests and face encountering loss, and other people looking down upon me. So it has been so hard for me to be honest. Mary’s story inspires me. No matter what I do, and how others see me, I should only seek to satisfy God. Isn’t that the happiest thing?
Mary paid attention to listening to the Lord’s words, recognized the authority and power in the Lord’s words, and saw His mercy and love for the poor—all of these things prompted her to develop faith and love for the Lord. She seized the opportunities to practice loving and satisfying the Lord, and didn’t care about the loss of her own interests. Her devotion was out of willingness. It can be seen that the Lord never praises a person for no reason but according to whether a person’s heart longs for the truth and whether he pays attention to listening to God’s words. Mary’s experience and testimony have given us some inspirations. If we want to receive the best blessings like Mary, we should do everything according to God’s will, instead of busying ourselves with external affairs like Martha. The only way to be praised and blessed by God is to put effort into God’s words and do things in accordance with God’s demands.