A Beautiful Fragrance
When I was younger I had the opportunity to tour Europe for three weeks during the summer. While in Paris we walked through many shops and the vendors would spray perfume in the air as you walked by to draw customers into their areas.
Some of the scents you would avoid and others were very pleasant. There was one scent that I really enjoyed and wanted to purchase. It was expensive, so I bought the smallest bottle I could find. The bottle had a unique design and it felt like a small treasure to me. I would only use it on special occasions trying to make it last.
Years later I heard that because your mind associates scents with events that take place, it’s a good idea to find a unique scent when you’re traveling so that later on that scent will take you back to that special place. Once in a while I will buy my favorite perfume and it does just that, take me back to that time and place. I remember the sights and the sounds, the joy of exploring and seeing different parts of the world. It always makes me smile and smell nice.
Mary of Bethany had her own special bottle of perfume, a pint of pure nard. She had a large bottle that was worth a year’s wages. It would have been a treasured possession of hers that she had saved for a special occasion. That occasion was anointing Jesus’ feet.
In front of everyone, Mary poured it on Jesus’s feet. As it soaked His feet and likely the hem of His robe, she anointed and massaged Jesus’ feet. (MSG) She then wiped His feet with her hair. It was a beautiful act of love, devotion and worship.
The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (John 12:3) People watched and had their own reactions to the public display of worship that was taking place, but the only response that mattered came from Jesus.
“Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” (Mark 14:4-6)
One author commented, “This was the most lavish, extravagant act of love ever shown to Jesus while He lived on earth. No one had ever done such a thing.” (Carolyn Nabors Baker)
That extravagant act of love for her Savior had lasting effects. Imagine Jesus as He was being publicly beaten, tried and crucified remembering the scent that accompanied Mary’s public act of love and kindness. Was the scent still present on His robe as the soldiers cast lots to see who would receive it, possibly wondering where such a beautiful aroma would come from?
What about the crowd that in the future would be walking through the marketplace and catch a faint scent of nard from a vendor’s booth? Would it take them back to the day that Jesus was anointed?
And Mary. As she slept on her mat with her hair surrounding her, do you think she breathed in the scent that brought about such a personal, loving connection with Jesus and remembered His worn feet, the sound of His voice and His kind loving words of promise?
When we give all we have to Jesus with no thought of public opinion, the cost or reward, we follow Mary’s example. The most prize possession we have is our full devotion. Material things will come and go, but our heart and soul are truly ours to give.
Mary’s private devotion had become a public display of affection, though she was probably unaware of it. Just as when we’re standing in church, our hearts and eyes lifted up, our minds focused entirely on Him as if no one else were in the sanctuary. (Women of Easter)
We can choose to be poured out for Christ. It is an act of our will, not our emotions. It will require giving Him our everything and holding nothing back. What a privilege to give all our love, our devotion and our worship to Him.
Tell God you are ready to be poured out as an offering, and God will prove Himself to be all you ever dreamed He would be. (Oswald Chambers)
My prayer
Father, I’m ready to be poured out as an offering and accept whatever trials that it may bring in overcoming my will. Whatever the cost may be, please let my focus be on You. You are worth everything. I know that it will result in a deeper personal relationship with You and I want that. I want my life to be an act of love, devotion and worship of my Savior. When the time comes Lord I want to finish the race well having kept the faith as I look forward to meeting You face to face. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
2 Timothy 4:6-8
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”