Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 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. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 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. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. ~ John 12:1-7
It’s hard to imagine someone using a pound of expensive ointment on a person’s feet. Even more unimaginable is the woman who applied the ointment then using her hair to wipe the person’s feet. How extravagant! How passionate! But that’s the point. Jesus is worthy of the best of everything, including our adoration.
Lord, I want to be like Mary—personally giving the best I have to Jesus. I don’t want to give something “good;” I want to give the best. I want to give my life. I don’t want to give it ritually and formally. I want to give it with my whole heart, body, and soul. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.