1Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead.2A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him.3Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she banointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
4But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said,5“That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”6Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.
7Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial.8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
9When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead.10Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too,11for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and cbelieved in Jesus.
Mary is truly a changed woman! The fact that she even owned the perfume tells us a lot about her former life. Perfume was extremely expensive (a years wages!) and usually owned by the wives of the very wealthy, and prostitutes of the very wealthy. We don’t know for sure that is the case with Mary, but based on other stories in the Bible, it is very likely.
But now, Mary is a new woman. She doesn’t care about her expensive belongings. She no longer wants to attract the wealthy men. The act of washing feet was reserved for the lowest slave in the house, so Mary doesn’t care what people think about her. No, all Mary really wants to do is love and worship Jesus.
She is what we should be. Have you abandoned your former life to give Jesus total love and glory? I know for me it is a work in progress. I still cling from time to time to my “stuff” and my reputation.
Lord, change me and help me to follow you completely. Help me to follow the example of the prostitute that became so devoted to you. Change me Lord, change me. *obbs*
