The perfume that was poured by Mary on the head of Jesus was used in the embalming process. It was so expensive that only the very wealthy could afford to buy it. We are told in verse 5 that it was worth “300 denarii”. This is a year’s pay for the average worker during the time of Jesus.
Mary’s extravagant love was a statement regarding her value of Christ. She had perhaps saved her entire life to be able to pay for that ointment. She was probably saving it for her own burial. When she broke that alabaster jar and poured out its contents, she was telling Jesus, “You mean more to me than anything in the world!”
How about us? How much we love Christ? Is He more valuable than anything in this world? When was the last time that you have given your best to Him?
Mary did not anoint the Lord with only a little amount of her valuable possession. She did not use only half the perfume and keep the rest. She poured out everything. In verse 8 the Lord says, “She has done what she could.” What the Lord is actually saying is that Mary did all that she could. She went to the limit of her ability - she went all out! She did not hold back.
What about us? Will the Lord will say to us, in reference to our love to Him, that we have done a “few drops” of what we could, or half of what we could or will He say that we have done all that we possibly could do?
We read that some of the guests (Judas, as well as the other disciples) were so indignant with Mary’s act of love. They called it wasteful and said the money would have been better spent in relief efforts for the poor.
The extravagant of Mary’s love was commended by the Lord. Mary’s action was not a waste of time, effort and money; it had eternal value. The anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany is remembered wherever the gospel message has spread throughout the whole world- it will be remembered forever!
The same is true of our love to Christ. The love, worship and commitment that we have offered to Him will never be forgotten. It is not a waste of time, money or effort. It will not go in vain. It will always be remembered!
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