Through Her Eyes: A Call to Extravagant Devotion That Defies CultureSample

Extravagant Devotion

“Six days before Passover,” the scene is set. Jesus is about to go to the cross in a matter of days to experience a torturous death. Giving His life for the sake of humanity, His enemies. He has informed His disciples numerous times of the reality of His soon departure and yet no one has paid attention. They miss His warnings of the pain that awaits Him. Imagine the loneliness, your closest friends are not listening, or misunderstand you as you try to convey to them the painful reality of the ever-nearing day of your death. Yet one woman understood the gravity of His statements. She knew that she could give what she had and minister to Jesus in this week leading up to the moment of agony. She took her alabaster flask filled with the precious ointment of spikenard. Worth a year’s wages, possibly $30,000-$50,000 in today’s currency. 

This was possibly her dowry, her inheritance. This would cost her greatly. Yet she knew He is worthy of it. As she poured the ointment upon Jesus those around her criticized her sharply. “Why this waste?” Yet Mary knew the value of the man who sat in their midst, she knew who He was and His mission. She knew that this was no waste but rather this was the greatest honor and an opportunity of a lifetime to serve her friend in this way. God in the flesh. Jesus defends her and says, “leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.” 

Mary anointed Jesus for burial knowing that His call was to go and suffer and die in the greatest form of agony. She honored Him and knew that this is what was needed. Because Mary was found sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to His words (Luke 10:39), she heard what He was saying when others missed it. When we take time to cultivate a relationship with Jesus, spending time in His Word and in prayer. We take the posture of a friend and we are able to hear Him and respond to what He is saying. May we be friends of the Lord like Mary of Bethany, ministering to Jesus from a place of loving devotion.

Challenge: 

Ask the Lord, “What is my Alabaster Jar that I can break at Your feet? What does that extravagant devotion look like for me?”