As the time of Jesus' passion in Jerusalem nears, he visits friends in nearby Bethany: Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. In the previous chapter, Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, now he and his sisters hold a dinner in Jesus' honor. During the dinner Mary takes it upon herself to show her gratitude and love for Jesus by pouring a very expensive perfume on his feet and wiping them with her hair. This culturally risky decision is looked upon with derision by Jesus' disciples, but he chooses instead to praise Mary for her devotion. Why?
The answer lies not in a practical consideration of her actions; the perfume was indeed very expensive and this action can hardly be called anything but extravagant. Instead, Mary is commended for her willingness to go beyond the ordinary in order to worship Jesus. Her financial sacrifice and her risk of public shame (for letting her hair down in public) have brought comfort to Jesus and "prepared" him for his upcoming burial.
What value is this story to us? Mary's example teaches us to allow ourselves to worship God from the heart, boldly pushing past cultural pressures to embrace the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Whether that means a Catholic Mass, a Pentecostal shout of "Hallelujah” or something in between is up to you. Those who would follow Jesus must not only live a life of service to others, but also raise up their hearts in praise regardless of the form it takes. If Mary had listened to the voice of caution, or had worried about the cost, the opportunity to kiss the feet of the Son of God, her Messiah, would have been lost. Don't miss your chance to follow her example and worship God with all your heart.
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