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Jesus doesn’t just call us to shallow relationship, he calls us to the depths of His heart where intimacy is found. In Mary, we see a woman who not only heard Jesus’ call but pursued it with her whole being to the point where she pours out all of herself before Him. From sitting at Jesus' feet soaking in His words to anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, she intentionally pursued him, not because she had to but because she knew He was worth everything.

John sets the scene in John 12:1-8: the location is Bethany the hometown of Lazarus, the man whom Jesus has just raised from the dead. Lazarus is reclining at the table, full of life, and Jesus is the guest of honor. There is an air of celebration and excitement. What might happen next? The man who raises people from the dead is in their midst!

The house is full of lively chatter, the wine is flowing and a delicious aroma of food wafts through the room. Suddenly the scene cuts to Mary as she pours out expensive nard at Jesus' feet. Immediately the whole house is permeated with the fragrance of her devotion. Everyone stops what they are doing, their eyes transfixed on Mary and Jesus. Some gasp. A plate crashes to the floor followed by utter silence as, almost in slow motion, Mary lets down her hair and drys Jesus’ feet.

This was a dinner everyone was going to remember, not only by those in attendance but also by us today. Mathew’s account of the same story records Jesus saying of Mary, ‘Truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.’

The scent of Mary’s devotion is so powerful that it carries through the ages causing me to ask myself this question - what is the fragrance of my devotion?

Perfumes are a complex combination of top notes, heart notes, and base notes. Top notes are more delicate and fade quickly while base notes last longer. I wonder if, like Mary's, the fragrance of my devotion lingers in the atmosphere. Or does it quickly fades into the wind?

As much as this is an important question to ask, it is also important to recognize that there was a journey that led Mary to this moment. Think about when Jesus commends Mary for sitting at His feet while her sister, Martha, was distracted by many other things (Luke 10:38-42). Even though we only read of the one occasion where Mary did this, I'm inclined to believe it was a common occurrence.

Intimacy is only found when our full and present attention is regularly given to another.

Mary spent time with Jesus and as she grew in revelation of who he was, as she allowed his being to imprint upon her heart, she was led to this moment of total abandonment before her Saviour. I love this quote by Charles Spurgeon,

"You must sit at his feet or you will never anoint them; he must pour his divine teaching into you or you will never pour out a precious ointment upon him."

It takes time intentionally spent with Jesus, allowing His words and presence to touch our hearts so that the base notes of our devotion deepen and linger. As they mingle with His love, their fragrance will not only reflect the depth of our devotion but also Jesus’ unwavering devotion to us, and just like Mary’s it will leave a legacy for generations to come.

1. LISTEN: As you reflect on Mary's devotion, consider your own. Is the fragrance of your devotion developing base notes?
2. RESPOND: Where can you make space in your life to sit at Jesus' feet and what practical steps can you take to guard that space for this purpose?
3. ASK: Ask The Holy Spirit to strengthen you and guide you in responding to what He has spoken today.