Most people are familiar with the story of Mary and her Alabaster box in John 12:1-9. How often do we consider our own motives when it comes to our own alabaster boxes? If you are not familiar with this passage or want a refresher, keep reading as I summarize it. Then we can unpack a little more.
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived in the town of Bethany at the house of Simon, the leper and where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. Jesus had brought Lazarus back to life after he’d been dead four days. Many of the Jews had believed that Jesus was the Son of God, but some had not. They made a supper for Jesus where Martha was in charge of serving. Mary took a pound of very expensive ointment (spikenard) from an alabaster box and poured it onto Jesus’ feet before wiping his feet with her hair.
One of Jesus’ disciples, Judas Iscariot (who would betray Jesus just a few days later) said to Jesus, “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for a great amount of money and given to the poor?” Jesus told him to leave Mary alone for she had done a good work. Jesus reminded that there would always be poor people, but they would not always have Jesus with them. Jesus continued to say that wherever the gospel would be preached throughout the whole world, people would hear about Mary and what she done and it would as a memorial to her.
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. – v.3
Whether for sentimental or monetary reasons, Mary’s alabaster box was precious. Mary had some options for using it:
- She could hoard it and keep it entirely on herself
- She could share it with others but not Jesus
- She could use some herself and distribute the rest to others
- She could sell it (as Judas obviously thought she should have done)
- Or she could use it entirely on Jesus (which she did)
- Having chosen that last option, Mary used the fragrance completely on Jesus.
Mary’s completely selfless act began with the same choice we all make many times on a daily basis. Photo Credit: takomabibelot via Compfight cc
What was Mary’s Motive for Anointing Jesus
- Mary Expressed Reverence – Recognizing Jesus as the Godhead and not a sentimental idol
- Mary Showed Gratitude – She saw the way to salvation was through the Messiah Jesus
- Mary Had Faith – She stood firm in her belief in Jesus when many others did not
- Mary had Love in her Soul – Of the four motives, this was the strongest of all. Love will always prevail.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8
Think about your more valued and precious “alabaster boxes” and consider how you compare and contrast in your motives for this event? Heck, consider it even with your most worthless and neglected possessions. This completely selfless act began the same way and by making the same choice we all make many times over on a daily basis.