Anoint Him

Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” John 12:1-8

In Bible times a person was anointed to consecrate them for a special purpose, like to be king or a prophet. It was used to signify God’s call on that person’s life. The oil itself did not possess power. God gave the power to the oil.

God chose Mary to anoint Jesus for his burial. She sacrificed costly oil. She used her own hair, for Jesus.

Mary’s anointing acknowledged you as king. Washing your feet placed her in a servant’s position. Wiping with her hair said she would hold nothing back from you.

Today Jesus I acknowledge you as king. I place myself at your feet as your servant. I promise to never willfully hold anything back from you.

May I love you like Mary today.