TEXT: JOHN 12:2–3 NKJV
[2] There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. [3] Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
Discussion
Today’s devotional focuses on how we appreciate God for the things He has done for us. Our case study today is a woman named Mary. Mary poured a very costly ointment on Jesus. She gave to Jesus what she had. The question is, why did she do that?
Jesus had been invited for supper, and I believe a well-prepared meal would have been served. That alone could have been enough, but Mary did not stop there. She went on to pour the very costly ointment on Jesus’ feet, and as if that were not enough, she wiped His feet with her hair.
Mary did all these because she was deeply grateful to Jesus. She did not know a better way to express her appreciation to the One who had delivered her from tormenting demons and brought her family joy again by raising Lazarus from the dead.
As far as Mary was concerned, the cost of the ointment did not matter. What mattered was expressing her gratitude to Jesus. She even used her own hair to wipe His feet. Her heart was so full of gratitude that she did not know how best to show her appreciation. Her act of devotion filled the whole house, so that everyone who came in knew that someone had poured something very costly on Jesus.
Mary’s act calls for deep reflection on how we appreciate God for all He has done and continues to do for us. Many people thank God, yet no one around them can tell they are truly grateful. Some simply fold their hands during worship, while others stand with their hands in their pockets, looking around and saying that God knows they are grateful in their hearts. In contrast, Mary’s gratitude filled the whole house. It was so evident that Judas could not keep quiet about the cost of the ointment.
Let us do everything within our capacity to show God that we are truly grateful to Him. If we are worshipping, let us worship wholeheartedly. If we are dancing, let us dance with all our hearts. If we are clapping, let us clap without shame or reservation. God deserves more than the best we can ever offer Him.
Declarations:
I shall remain grateful to God and render to Him the glory, honour, and heartfelt praise He deserves, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Light Up Christian Fellowship
