The Costly Offering: Lessons from Mary’s Act of Devotion
"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. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." - John 12:3-6
In John 12:3-6 (KJV), we witness a profound act of love and worship by Mary, the sister of Lazarus, as she takes a pound of very costly spikenard ointment and anoints the feet of Jesus. The passage states, "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." This act is rich with meaning, and invites us into an exploration of sacrifice, devotion, and the true intent of our hearts.
Mary’s act is one of radical worship. The spikenard she uses was not only expensive, but it was also a symbol of great honor and dignity. In a culture where cleanliness and appropriate gestures were paramount, Mary’s decision to anoint Jesus' feet—a task typically reserved for servants—pushes the boundaries of social norms. It reflects her recognition of Jesus’ divine nature and His impending sacrifice for humanity. Mary’s actions teach us that true worship often calls us to sacrifice what is valuable to us.
When we look closely at the oil—costly both in monetary terms and in emotional significance—we understand that it is a representation of the heart’s desire to honor God with our best. We are reminded in Proverbs 3:9, "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase." How often do we evaluate what we bring to God? What are the offerings we lay at His feet each day? Could it be that we hold back our finest, either out of stinginess or the belief that God deserves only our leftovers?
Judas Iscariot’s response to Mary’s act is riddled with hypocrisy. He questions the value of Mary’s offering, saying, "Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?" Yet, the scripture clarifies that Judas did not care for the poor; he was motivated by self-interest, as he was a thief who managed the money bag. Judas’s words invite us to caution. How often do we mask our selfishness with a facade of concern? This juxtaposition between Mary and Judas presents a challenging contrast: are we willing to lay down our lives in sacrificial love, or will we hide behind the guise of practicality to veil our greed and apathy?
The fragrance of the ointment filled the house, leaving a lingering reminder of worship in action. The pleasing aroma symbolizes the worship that rises up to God, fragrant and accepted. In our own lives, does the 'odor' we produce through our actions reflect our love for Christ? In a world that often values wealth and possessions above service and humility, we are called to concoct a different fragrance—one that comes from our willingness to pour out our lives for the sake of others and for the glory of God.
Finally, Mary’s act foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus would make on the cross, the true act of love that would pave the way for eternal redemption. As we reflect upon this passage, we must ask ourselves: What kind of love are we showing toward Christ? Are we striving to be like Mary, giving freely of our time, resources, and love, or are we allowing the mindset of Judas to creep into our service, calculating the value of our worship?
Let us take our cues from Mary, who lavishly devoted herself to Jesus in a powerful and costly manner. May we seek to fill our lives with the scent of sacrificial love—a scent that honors God and impacts the world around us. In doing so, we create spaces where God's presence dwells richly, and where our worship speaks volumes about our relationship with Him.
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John 12:3-6 Artwork
John 12:3-6 - "Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it."
"Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." - John 12:3-6
John 12:3
John 6:12
John 6:3 - "And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples."
John 3:6 - "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
Matthew 3:11-12
John 6:12 - "When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost."
John 12:6 - "This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein."
1 John 3:6 - "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."
John 3:12 - "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"
Matthew 3:11-12
John 12:3 - "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."
3 John 1:12 - "Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true."
"And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples." - John 6:3
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." - John 3:6
1 John 3:12 - "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous."
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 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 (KJV) 3 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 (KJV) 3 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 (KJV) 3 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 (KJV) 3 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 (KJV) 3 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 (KJV) 3 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 (KJV) 3 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.
3 John 1:6 - "Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:"
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 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 (KJV) 3 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 (KJV) 3 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.
"Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?" - Luke 3:12