Thank you for joining the Do Not Depart contributors for a virtual tour of #WhereJesusWalked. We have visited Bethlehem, Jericho, and Cana of Galilee thus far. We continue our tour in Bethany. Described as a hamlet by some and a small suburb by others, Bethany was a frequent stop for Jesus.
Just outside of the city of Jerusalem, Bethany sits on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives. The two-mile journey to Jerusalem was an uphill jaunt. The proximity to Jerusalem made Bethany a perfect place to escape curious crowds, but more importantly, it was the home of Jesus’ close friends: Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
Between Jesus’ triumphal entry and supper in the Upper Room with the disciples, Jesus spent time in Bethany with His friends at Simon the Leper’s house. Here in a common home with common people, an uncommon disciple demonstrates that following Jesus is the way of sacrifice.
Barrier Breaker
The candles were lit, the food served, and the guests were enjoying a meal with Jesus. Without introduction and without excuse, Mary (John 12:3) enters the room where Jesus was. Interrupting the dinner and against all cultural barriers, she anoints Jesus with expensive oil.
And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. Matthew 26:6-7
Giving up propriety and risking humiliation, Mary’s action shakes up the room. Cries of disgust erupt across the room while Jesus honors her heart and motivation. Mary sacrificed any regard for social standing to exalt Jesus.
Afterall, Jesus showed her the way by withstanding rejection, scorn, and derision of men. Even now, He invites sinners into a relationship with Him by faith and by grace ushers them into the presence of God. Jesus’ sacrifice breaches any barriers, making God approachable for all who call on His name.
Selfless Servant
Mary could have kept the oil for a future occasion. Instead, knowing the surpassing greatness of Jesus, she used the oil to serve Him. A less humble heart would have reserved the oil, but Mary gave it all away.
Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. John 12:3
In a posture of humility, Mary bows before Jesus. Even more, she uncovered her hair and used it to cover Jesus’ feet in oil. Mary’s position before Jesus proves her understanding that following Jesus required service and sacrifice.
Afterall, Jesus’ life on earth was marked by sacrifice. Beginning with His incarnation:
…who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:6-7
Soon after His annointing by Mary of Bethany, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet to show them “the full extent of his love” (John 13:1). Selfless servanthood is the way of Jesus, the way of sacrifice.
Devoted Disciple
Although some in the room decried the wasting of such costly fragrance, Jesus saw it as pure devotion and worship. Like the widow who gave all she had (Luke 21:1-4), Mary of Bethany gave every drop of this precious possession in an act of worship.
“Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Matthew 26:10-12
Mary knew Jesus was going to die, and she honored His sacrifice by preparing His body in an act of worship. Mary loved Jesus with her whole heart. She risked her reputation, she lowered her position, and she poured out all her possession to worship and adore Jesus. I think the apostle Paul would agree that Mary’s adoration of Jesus is an example of true worship.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
The way of Jesus is the way of sacrifice. Jesus warned His disciples that following Him would be costly. Philippians 2: 8 describes Jesus as “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Today Jesus calls us to sacrificial obedience. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”
Reflection
The account of Mary of Bethany challenges me to reflect on the following. Do I only serve Jesus in socially approved ways? Am I willing to risk my reputation for Christ? What am I holding onto that I need to completely give to Jesus? How do I really feel about dying to self and following Jesus? Am I following Jesus in the way of sacrifice?
The answers to these questions are imperfect. I “fall short” too often. Yet, I am confident that the Holy Spirit’s persistent work will yield more understanding and better following as I continue in my Christian life.
How are you challenged by Mary of Bethany’s example? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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