| “It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.” – John 11:2 |
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| A Display of Extravagant LOVE for Jesus While John 11 is the story about the sickness and the death of Lazarus and then how Jesus brought him back from the grave John interestingly found it necessary when introducing the sisters of Lazarus to tell about Mary’s display of extravagant love toward Jesus. The full story is told in John 12 but John, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believed the reader needed to know about the beautiful action that Mary had done. It seems like John believed anytime anyone hears about Mary of Bethany they need to think about her display of extravagant love for Jesus. And what a way to be remembered!!! In pondering the actions described by John about Mary allow me to point out just a couple of things. First, notice the statement that she “wiped His feet with her hair.” There are three stories in the Bible about Mary of Bethany and did you know that in each story you find Mary of Bethany at the feet of Jesus? In Luke 10:38-42 Jesus came to dinner at the home of Mary and Martha. Jesus will start TEACHING and Mary LEFT the kitchen to SIT at His feet to LISTEN and LEARN. It was a pleasant day and Mary took advantage of the opportunity to store up knowledge about Jesus! Later in John 11, we find her again at the feet of Jesus. This time the day is painful and has been very perplexing as she and her sister had informed Jesus that Lazarus, whom He loved, was sick yet Lazarus died. One can imagine how disappointing it must have been as they BELIEVED Jesus COULD heal Lazarus and they KNEW He WOULD heal Lazarus. Yet Lazarus died. When Jesus did arrive Mary went to His feet and there wept. One can see her TRUSTING Jesus though she did not understand. On this painful, perplexing day, she LEANED on Jesus and told Him how hurt she was. Jesus would weep as He saw her tears. Moving to John 12 (and back to John 11:2) we see Mary one more time at the feet of Jesus. This story of her anointing Jesus with fragrant oil is told in Matthew and Mark. John tells her she goes to His feet to wipe them in a beautiful act of humility and servanthood, yes, of love! John 12 as well as Matthew and Mark will tell that the anointment was no ordinary anoint but rather some of the best money could buy. It was valued at a year’s wages!!!!! Her expression of love was, without doubt, EXPENSIVE and EXTRAVAGANT. But for Mary of Bethany, Jesus deserved nothing but the VERY BEST. And even though the disciples thought it was a waste Jesus commended her and paid her one of the highest honors in that wherever the gospel is preached Mary’s story of extravagant love is to be shared as well. (I fulfill His words with this devotional.) May I ask you if you are giving Jesus your best? May I ask you if you are doing something that is extravagant – YES – appearing to be EXCESSIVE for Jesus? Do you worry that family and friends might say THAT IS TOO MUCH? Years ago I read a message about Mary of Bethany from Chuck Swindoll and he gave the challenge to BREAK A VASE for Jesus! Don’t hold back! After all, He did not hold back. Talk about extravagant love, He gave His life as a demonstration of His love. Friends, you can never do TOO MUCH for Jesus! To the one who went all in for us, we should go all out for Him. Follow the example of Mary of Bethany! Verse to DATE the Word on November 2 (11/2) is John 11:2. It says, “It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.” Would it not be great that every time someone said your name they thought of something you did for Jesus? Continue Strong displaying EXTRAVAGANT Love for Jesus! And remember to DATE THE WORD |