"Then Mary took about a pint of pure spikenard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." (John 12:3)
Jesus' anointing with oil by an unidentified woman is one of the more fascinating passages in the New Testament. Why does she choose to do it? The identity of this woman is mysterious, but some gospels identify her as Mary, the sister of Simon, which would make sense, if they were in his house. Where did she find a box of precious oil, and what was originally planned for it? As was tradition with the anointing of kings Jesus is anointed with this costly and precious oil.
Scholars believe the value of this oil (300 Denarii), would have been close to that of a well-paid manual worker over the course of an entire year. At first, it seems that Jesus' followers complained the oil had been wasted when it could have been sold to help the destitute, but in the end they learned a very important lesson.
As was customary she first poured the expensive perfume upon the head of Jesus (Mark 14:3), and the remainder she poured on His beloved feet. Notice how the Apostle John, in sharing the story, seems to have left out the anointing of the head of Jesus, so powerfully was he impressed with the costly devotion displayed when she anointed His feet and wiped them with her hair. This is indeed a picture of love--devotion well worth noting.
Woman's Chief Ornament
One writer said: "She took her hair 'woman's chief ornament' and devoted it to wiping the travel-stained feet of her Teacher; she devoted the best she had to this least honorable service for him. It was the strongest possible expression of her love and devotion. She gave her choicest treasures in the most self-debasing manner. She was bashful and retiring, and could not speak her feelings, and therefore she expressed them in this manner."
We learn that the whole house was filled with the fragrance; it apparently lingered there for a long time. But even more valuable than the perfume was the sweet fragrance of Mary's incredible affection that so deeply touched Jesus' heart. Even today the sweet fragrance of her devotion still blesses us and motivates us to follow her example.
Following Mary's Example
There is an abiding fragrance on the lives of many of God's people. This fragrance of the Spirit does not come upon just anyone. It is costly and those who have it paid a dear price for it. The Lord desires to increase this fragrance in our lives. We acquire it by following Mary's example.
First, Mary bowed down before the Lord. This speaks of sweet surrender. As we surrender our all to God our fragrance increases. Secondly, she used her hair. This speaks of humility. She was willing to trade her glory for His. Humility is key if we want a fragrance to flow from our lives. Third, she sacrificed, giving such a priceless gift.
The Lord spoke to me many years ago "Steve, The greater the sacrifice the greater the anointing." As we sacrifice for God the fragrance of the Spirit will be increased in our ministries. And lastly, she soaked in that fragrance. The perfume stayed on her hair and hands long after she left Jesus.
Through our costly sacrifices to God in devotion we display our deep, loving, and benevolent hearts, like that of Mary for God. As a result of that sacrifice a sweet fragrance is released in our lives and others will take note that we are like our Lord.
Master, as I am with you, release your fragrance to linger upon me. Let it affect the world around us and may others also run to your feet and surrender all.
Steve Porter
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