Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. But Jesus said, "Let her alone; for she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always." John 12:1-8
I love this story because Mary was not ashamed to do this act. Although she could see the disdain of the disciples, especially Judas, she wasn't willing to let what others think change her mind about serving her Lord. When we serve the Lord many will think we are wasting our time, energy, resources. But when we consider all the Christ did for us on the cross, we want to serve Him. Spikenard symbolized the very best in ancient cultures. When Mary poured it she was giving her best because Jesus was getting ready to give His best- His life. In the Song of Solomon spikenard is mentioned in reference between the bride and groom. Mary's act was in preparation of Jesus' death. We, the bride of Christ and Christ our groom. He expressed the greatest act of love for us by dying for us.
Mary gave us an example to give our very best in this life to the Lover of our souls and to serve Him unashamedly. When we share the gospel we can be ridiculed, mocked, and rejected. Romans 1:16 says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes." When sharing the gospel many shy away from mentioning sin because they fear man, but sin is the very thing that Jesus hung on the cross for! When the snarling glares of those who reject the gospel come to mind, remember the eyes of the Savior hanging on the cross. And when fear of man tempts you to not share the true gospel (which must mention one's sin) remind yourself of the sinners fate apart from salvation, and allow that fear of man to turn to love of man.
May our life be a costly bottle of spikenard poured out in service to the Lord. Amen?
Blessings.
Akiko