Mary Anoints Jesus' Feet

Have you ever heard the expression "first impressions count"?

John 12:1-11

Jesus also invites us to worship him extravagantly and be the aroma of Christ to all those around us for the sake of their eternal future.

Psychologists say it only takes seven seconds for our brain to form an opinion about someone else, including their actions.

In John 12:1-11 Mary was on the receiving end of some harsh criticism from Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples. In the middle of a dinner being held in Jesus' honour, Mary comes into the room and does an unthinkable act - she pours out a bottle of pure nard onto Jesus' feet and wipes his feet with her hair. How outrageous!

Judas reacts saying that the sale of this perfume and using the proceeds to meet the needs of the poor would have been a better use for this perfume. That all sounds rather noble except that Judas' motives weren't pure. His words did not match his heart. He did not say them because he cared about the poor, rather, he cared more about lining his own pocket.

Judas saw Mary's act as wasteful. Jesus, However, saw Mary's act of worship as wonderful and commended her publicly for doing it. Sometimes it is easy for us to judge how other people choose to worship Jesus.

Mary's worship of Jesus was sacrificial and from the heart. She worshipped Jesus extravagantly even though it was costly for her to do so. Jesus invites us to do the same. Just as the fragrance of perfume filled the room that night, Jesus also invites us to worship Him extravagantly and be the aroma of Christ to all those around us for the sake of their eternal future.

Pastor Gwenda