March 5
JOHN 12
Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” – John 12:1-8
JOHN 12 THE ANOINTING OF JESUS’ FEET
What was the significance of Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet in this account? In biblical times, anointing oil was an ancient practice. James 5:14-15 says “14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” We see how it is used in this verse to heal the sick not only physically but also spiritually, as it forgives the sins of the sick as well. According to some source online, historically, anointing with oil has been used for consecrating priests, healing the sick and setting apart individuals for God’s purposes just like how King David was anointed by Samuel in
1 Samuel 16:13. Literally, anointing involves applying of oil to represent the divine empowerment, consecration and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit on the person to set apart that person to be able to fulfill the task given to him with God’s blessings.
Another common use of anointing oils would be to honor someone as an act of hospitality which was what Mary was probably doing. But I think it was more than just an act of hospitality. It was a special gift she gave to the Lord to signify her devotion to him. She used to sit at Jesus’ feet as she listened to his teachings in Luke 10:39. It symbolizes that she humbly serves the Lord and she was a follower of Jesus. She was also at the foot of the cross when he died. The anointing was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ coming death.
REFLECTION
• Do you think Mary’s anointing act of Jesus’ feet was Spirit led? Why or why not?
