Minute Meditation

“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 (Read John 12:1-9.)

Not a lot is told us in the Bible about this Mary, the sister of Lazarus and of Martha. We know that she sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His Word on one occasion when Martha was busy serving (Luke 10:38-42), and we know that she was present when Lazarus died and when Jesus came and raised him up from the dead (John 11). Now, before Jesus entered into Jerusalem to suffer and die upon the cross for the sins of the world, Jesus was the honored guest at a supper in Bethany; and Mary came and anointed the head and feet of Jesus with a very costly ointment (cf. Matthew 26:6-13) which was worth around 300 denarii (approximately 300 days wages). The disciples, and especially Judas who kept the money box and pilfered from it, were upset and indignant over this extravagant act; but Jesus told them to leave Mary alone; for she was anointing His body for burial, and this deed of hers would be remembered and spoken of wherever the Gospel would be preached. Mary acted in love for her Lord and Savior. She understood what Jesus’ disciples had not yet grasped: that Jesus was going to the cross to suffer and die for her sins and the sins of the world.

Do you have such love for Jesus? Do you realize the tremendous love He has for you—love which moved Him to willingly lay down His life for our sins that we might have forgiveness and life everlasting rather than the condemnation and punishment of God which we deserve? Have you taken the time to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His Word? Through His Word, God desires to graciously bless you with an understanding of His love and mercy toward you for Jesus’ sake! (Cf. Romans 5:8; Revelation 1:5.)

O dearest Jesus, thank You for loving me so much that You came into this world and willingly went to the cross to bear the punishment for my sins. Forgive me for all that I have done wrong and also for my failure to love You and appreciate Your great gift of salvation. Give me the desire to sit at Your feet and read and study Your Word, and open up my heart and mind that I might understand what You have done for me and trust in You and follow You unto life everlasting. Amen.

Devotions