Love Legacy

Mark 14:3-9 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. 6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
 
JESUS’ prophecy has certainly come true. Wherever the gospel is preached, this story is told to help us remember Jesus’ love for his people and Mary’s complete, sacrificial love for Jesus.
   We know this was Mary, Lazarus’ and Martha’s sister, because the apostle John gives us a closer look at the ways Jesus’ love had impacted those at the table: John 12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, 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.
   Jesus had healed Simon the Leper of leprosy. Jesus had raised Lazarus from the tomb. Lazarus’ sister Martha used her hospitality gift to prepare and serve the meal. Mary expressed her worship to the Lord when she lavished the precious nard perfume over Jesus’ body. The extravagant pouring onto Jesus surely represented Mary’s gratitude that Lazarus was alive. Perhaps we can also say the perfume demonstrated each healed person’s worshipful love for the Healer, Redeemer, Resurrection and the Life who dined with them. What other response could they give to the One who gave new life physically, emotionally and spiritually to many at the table?
   But did the others who said, “The money given to the poor.” have a valid point? Wouldn’t Jesus have been more pleased to see the poor fed, clothed and housed? Jesus’ response effectively said that they should always care for the poor. There would be time for that. But in that one moment one week before the cross, Jesus accepted the worship he deserved. For three years he had been the Father’s and the Jews’ humble servant to respond to countless needs. Before he offered his life, he allowed the faithful to offer sacrifice to him.
   What Mary did that day teaches a worshipful love for God we rarely experience. At the Lord’s feet she gave Jesus all the love that he is due. Let each of consider, “How will I tell Jesus, ‘I love you.’ today?”