Jesus, anointed by Mary at Bethany. John 12:1-11 Three events marked the conclusion of our Lord Jesus Christ's public ministry. The anointing of Jesus by Mary at Bethany symbolized preparing His body for burial after His death. The second was His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where crowds loudly shouted, “Hosanna!” meaning, “Save us!”—affirming Him as the long-awaited King of the Jews. The third involved some Greek visitors in Jerusalem—likely intrigued by the Jews' faith in an unseen God—approaching Jesus, giving Him the chance to explain the need for salvation and its path. His words also expressed the broad scope of salvation that would come through Him.
With the plot against Jesus being well known in Jerusalem, it seemed to the disciples that the journey to Bethany, a nearby village, would be dangerous. However, the powers of men cannot act against the Lord Jesus Christ until He permits it. The oasis in the wilderness of hatred at the house of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary would have been a welcome refuge for Jesus during His years of ministry on earth. If this supper took place in the house of Simon, it did not prevent Martha from her faithful service to the Lord. She had learned from the Lord earlier not to be distracted from her role of service by what others do or do not do.
When those who love the Lord gather, there is joy and peace that the world’s negativity cannot disturb. Each of us has a calling from God suited for us. There’s no reason to compare what I do with what others do. My task is to do what I do "As unto the Lord, and not unto men." Martha had learned and was doing what she had been called to do.
Lazarus, who had recently been raised from the dead, sat at the table in fellowship with Jesus, His disciples, and any others present. His physical presence served as proof that Jesus is God, the only One with the power to give life to the dead. Those who are "dead in trespasses and sins" can only find life in the One who gives life—the Lord Jesus Christ. Because Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus, he became a target of the murderous plot by the chief priests. These were likely Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, and Lazarus being alive proved them wrong, as well as their teachings. They deeply disliked this. Now, they plotted to murder two people instead of one. One sin leads to another on a downward spiral that cannot be stopped without genuine repentance.
The Lord Jesus was sitting at a table with an unusual group around Him. Lazarus was there, recently brought back from the dead. Judas was present, preparing to betray Him for money. Peter, James, and John, who were closer to Him than the other disciples, were also there. The others were present, not fully realizing they were following the Lord of life and glory to the place where He would die for the sins of a lost world. Martha was busy serving, having made that her calling. Mary was also there, worshipping—looking beyond what they were sharing to what was ahead. She poured spikenard on Jesus’ feet, which she had stored away for His burial. He was the “corn of wheat” that would soon die so a great harvest of born-again people could have eternal life. He would die and, after three days and nights in the grave, rise again, reclaiming His life.
Like a beautiful vista opening to one's eyes after a long drive across a dull desert, was Mary's devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Her usual place during her time with Jesus was at His feet. She understood who He truly was, the Lord from heaven, and her devotion to the Savior far exceeded that of others there. She didn't need to speak a word. Over the time she knew the Lord Jesus, she had been saving her money to give Him the highest honor she could. The act of anointing Jesus' head was to honor Him, while anointing His feet was an act of heartfelt devotion. She listened to Him speak and understood what was coming to Him. Her faith and devotion to Him must have been a great comfort to Him as He faced what was ahead in the coming week.
We might not realize the importance of some acts of devotion we show toward the Lord and His people. He understands our intentions and can be glorified and honored by such acts today. There’s no reason to believe He doesn’t understand what we mean by any genuine act of service, fellowship, or devotion we perform. The disciples did not understand what was happening any more than people do today as they wonder about our actions and motives. It is enough for us to know that Jesus understands what motivates every act of gratitude we offer to Him.
The spikenard Mary poured out on the Lord filled the house, and everyone at the meal would have carried its scent long after the supper was over. Jesus Himself would have the fragrance of spikenard on Him throughout the entire final week of His public life. Even at His burial, Joseph and Nicodemus would know that someone had anointed Jesus before they did. The true devotion of a believer brings great benefits to those around them. However, some, because of the darkness in their hearts, will mock and criticize anyone who genuinely loves the Lord and shows it.
Who would have thought the Sinless One could die? The wages of sin He paid to save us were extremely high—higher than we can imagine. Death had no claim on our Lord Jesus, yet He gave His life so that the debt we would have forever owed God would be justly paid. The fellowship God desired with mankind could be firmly established on the basis of reconciliation, so that through the cross-work of Christ, we were granted the satisfaction needed to clear our debt of sin.
A worshipful woman saw what others missed. The death of the Savior was God's way to bless those whose sins were forgiven when He gave His life as a substitute, so the guilty could live. In anticipation of the day when Satan would be defeated, she showed her gratitude and devotion without needing to be asked. Before the Lord Jesus Christ was buried, He accomplished other things. He carried our sins on His own body as He suffered so we could be freed from the eternal consequences of our guilt. As a result, many are attracted by His love for them when He gave His life as a ransom, making salvation possible for all through Him.
Before He was buried, some who had gathered around Him believed in Him even before His body was placed in the ground. A thief in despair turned to Christ in his dying hour and was assured by the words of the Lord Jesus Christ of His saving power. Soldiers who watched Jesus suffer and die heard His words and confessed Him as the mighty Son of God. A lot happened that day before Jesus was buried.
There were those at the supper in Bethany who did not understand the act of honor and devotion that Mary showed. She probably didn't realize the full value of what she was doing, but she knew that Jesus was soon going to His death. Her gratitude toward Him and her act of worship are a lesson to us, who have been taught by this event to bless our Savior’s name and give our honor and devotion to Him.
Judas was one of those; a selfish, critical thief who used a pious phrase to mask his own deceit. He had fallen further and further under Satan's control. He did not understand the value of money, its purpose, or how useless and worthless it was compared to true devotion. In the lives of those without Christ as their Savior, one sin leads to another. The downward spiral continues and cannot be stopped until sin is confronted and true repentance occurs—turning from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.