Mary Anoints Jesus

Lesson #187

With this lesson we will begin the first section of chapter 12, defined by John 12:1 – 8. We open this chapter with the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany, which casts a long shadow over the imminent arrest of Jesus, his trial, condemnation, crucifixion and burial. Let us return to our text and watch the drama unfold.

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead” (John 12:1 ESV). We are just six days before the Passover, the time when Jesus will die. In John 11:57, the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders for his arrest and Jesus and his disciples left the area for some down time. Now Jesus is back in the general region in which he was condemned to die. Since Jesus has moved from his hiding place of safety to a place of increased danger, we know that time is near for the event his Father sent him to attend; his crucifixion.

Upon his return to Bethany he went to see Mary, Martha and Lazarus, whom Jesus rad raised from the dead; “So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table” (John 12:2 ESV). This dinner appears to be a time to thank Jesus for raising Lazarus from the dead, but through the guidance of the Spirit it will turn to focus on the amazing power of Jesus, who raised Lazarus from the dead, who is reclining at the table with them. As expected, we find Martha in her usual place of organizing the meal and making sure everyone is well served. We find Mary preparing to express her heart in a lavish way by anointing Jesus and we find Lazarus quietly watching the one who gave him life to see what will happen next.

“Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3 ESV). When you encounter the word “therefore” you must stop and ask, “What is it there for?” In this case the therefore points back to the purpose of the dinner, which was to thank Jesus for raising Lazarus from the dead. On this side of therefore we see Mary expressing her thanks by pouring on the feet of Jesus a rather large amount of expensive ointment and then wiping his feet with her hair.

In their own way, each sister expressed their thanks to Jesus. Martha by organizing the meal and making sure everyone is well served and Mary in her loving fashion, anointing the feet of Jesus. Here is a good reminder for us to look back and remember what we are thankful for and in our own unique way thank God for what he has done for us.

Not everyone at the dinner was pleased over what Mary did: “But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, . . .” What he said and why we will look at in our next lesson.

Prayer

Father, this lesson reminds me of the importance to thank those who have been a blessing in my life. I need to consider all that God has done for me and out of love for him I need to graciously thank him. Father, as I continue to think about what Mary did, I notice that her thanks pointed to the death of Jesus and also cost her a great deal. Her thanks reflected a sincere and mature heart and set an example for us.