Jesus’ Passion Week: Our Savior’s Last Days and Ultimate SacrificeSample

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Three years ago, we surprised our kids with a puppy on Christmas. They were overjoyed! They had been asking for a dog for a long time and I was the last hold out. I had never owned a dog and was concerned that all the responsibility of caring for her would fall on me. While we got the dog for our kids, she ended up being a gift to me! Little did I know that shortly after we brought her home, I would be facing major challenges at work. During that time, our dog was a constant source of comfort and companionship.

Mary of Bethany gave Jesus one of the most meaningful gifts He ever received in the middle of Passion Week. Wednesday was the turning point in the last week of Jesus’ life. Following His actions in the Temple, the chief priests and elders began plotting how to arrest and kill Him (Matthew 26:3-4; Mark 14:1-2). Later that day Judas Iscariot approached them to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11). Amid this hostility, Simon the Leper threw a dinner party for Jesus and invited His close friends, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

Perhaps knowing that this may be the last time she sees Jesus, Mary interrupts the gathering by breaking an alabaster jar of perfume and pouring all of it over Jesus’ head. This gift, which cost a year’s worth of wages, was probably the most expensive thing she owned. Mary did not care that she was breaking social norms, because her sole focus was on loving Jesus. She had experienced Jesus’ compassion and life-saving power when He raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. Now she wanted to express her gratitude to Jesus. Her gift was a sacrifice of love, devotion, and worship.

But the disciples harshly rebuked Mary, calling what she did a “waste” (Matthew 26:8; Mark 14:4). They still did not understand that Jesus was heading to the Cross. Mary alone marked the significance of this moment with her lavish gift, in effect anointing Him for His burial. Jesus called what she did a “beautiful thing” and honored her by saying: “wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Matthew 26:10, 13). The scent of the perfume probably remained on Jesus’ hair and skin for days. The fragrance of Mary’s worship was something Jesus must have treasured as He journeyed to the cross.

In what ways can you express your love and worship to Jesus? Think of a tangible step you can take to offer your time, talent, or treasure as an act of worship to Him.

Prayer: God, thank you for Mary of Bethany’s beautiful offering. Please help us to love you with our whole heart and to pour out our worship to you in ways that demonstrate your worthiness. We give you all the praise, honor, and glory for everything that you have done for us! In Jesus’ name, Amen.