Mary

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Death and Resurrection of Jesus, The Servant

Mark 14:3-9 NIV

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.
6 "Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

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The woman anointing Jesus' feet in the Scripture above is Mary; the sister of Lazarus and Martha (John 12:1-3).  We've read about Mary before here in TGN; and you've may have learned about her at church or on your own reading.  One questions: have you noticed the Spirit that was upon her?  She was moved by Jesus.  She knew to sit at His feet, and she was compelled to anoint Him before His burial.  Mary truly exemplifies someone with complete devotion towards Jesus; someone who wasn't afraid to worship Him before people, and worship Him unlike anyone else worshiped Him.  She allowed herself to flow with the Spirit of God that moved within her.

Jesus praised Mary for her unselfish act of worship.  He was not saying that they (or we) should neglect the poor, nor was He justifying indifference to them.  He was speaking specifically to this moment in time.  The essence of worshiping Christ is to regard Him with utmost love, respect, and devotion and to be willing to sacrifice to Him what is most precious.

Let's join together and pray that this same Spirit that rested on Mary, dwell within us today!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I am in awe at the love that poured out of Mary towards Your Son while He walked this earth in human form.  She gave Jesus her everything; every part of her and what was most precious to her.  LORD, we ask that this same Spirit of love, respect, devotion and complete willingness dwell in us today and is renewed each and every day moving forward.  May our lives be a worship to You at all times.  May we use all that we are and all that we have to serve You with honor.  In Your Name, LORD.  Amen.