How Extravagant! by Anonymous
Mary took about a pint of pure nard … poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. John 12:3
While Jesus was at the dinner in Bethany, an extraordinary thing happened. Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair.
In those days it was considered indecent for a woman to “let down her hair” the way Mary did—not to mention using her hair to wipe someone’s feet. And the perfume Mary used was worth about a year’s wages. Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples spoke out against Mary for “wasting” this expensive perfume, but he was probably only saying what most of the others were also thinking.
Have you ever given a year’s wages to the Lord at one time? Imagine giving that much away. Does that seem extravagant to you? Behind Mary’s generous financial sacrifice, though, was an even greater gift—her entire life given in service to her Lord.
Jesus did not rebuke Mary. Instead he said, “Leave her alone,” and explained that her act of devotion would help prepare Him for His burial, which Jesus knew would happen in less than a week. Jesus appreciated Mary’s expression of love and that she honored Him above all.
Lord, our gifts to You pale in comparison to Your gift of salvation by your sacrifice on the cross. May our lives, given to You, in service to others be a fitting response. In Your name, Amen.