John 12: Mary of Bethany
Six days before Passover (and His death), Jesus went to Bethany. While there he had dinner with Mary, Martha, Lazarus (who he raised from the dead the chapter before) and several apostles.
Verse 3.
Interestingly - Mark and Matthew both mention she anointed His head, while John says the feet. These are both scared - so it very well could have been both.
The ointment that she used is mentioned to be very expensive.
Mark 14:5
300 pence was probably about $50 for us. However, the daily wage was about &0.17. If you multiply that by 300 (a yearly wage), then it’s $50. So really, it was an entire year's wage! Which is closer to $30,000 - $40,000 + for us today.
This is a very expensive gift! - as Judas Iscariot points out.
There is a lot of foreshadowing of what is to come from Judas.
Verse 5 + 6 say
Jesus’ response I think is one that we all need to take in more often though.
Verses 7 + 8 (JST in 7)
Let’s break all this down a little bit more of what exactly is happening with Mary.
She has this incredibly expensive oil.
She come to Jesus and anoints his feet with it. The feet were VERY dirty in those days.
Servants were usually the ones to wash guests' feet b/c it was not a pleasant job.
Mary used her hair. It’s such a symbolic thought. Women usually wore their hair up, so for her to take it down while guests are over, and then use that to make sure she anoints the Savior's feet is such a humbling place she put herself.
However, she also was showing so much love. She understood the significance of the Savior. She may not have completely understood what was coming, but she knew that something was changing and soon.
As the apostles watched this - and maybe more than just Judas was a little surprised.
Do you think a few days later, when Jesus washed their feet they thought of this moment with Mary at all?
It seems like it may have come to mind with the nature of the conversation that had come up.
I believe that Jesus is showing so much gratitude towards Mary. So much love. She has been with them in their ministries. She is a disciple and a follower. A friend.
He talks of being gone and she knows who He is. This is her gift to Him.
