In Mark 14:1-9, we reach a critical point in the ministry of Jesus. It is the Saturday before the final week of Jesus’ life. The Lord stops in Bethany to spend time with his friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (John 12:1-11). During this time, Mary does something that Jesus commends and praises. She takes a bottle of perfume, breaks it open, pours it over His head, and even wipes His feet with her hair.

What does Jesus want us to remember about her actions (Mark 14:9)?

He wants us to remember how much she sacrificed.

  • This was a very expensive perfume (Mark 14:3). It would have taken the average person during that time an entire year to buy!
  • Mary pours all of it on Jesus. She saves none of it for herself.
  • The room is filled with the smell of this perfume (John 12:3). The scent likely stayed on Jesus His entire final week!
  • Mary’s actions teach us that service that pleases Jesus is costly. Jesus deserves the best service from His people (Romans 12:1). He deserves the best of our time and prosperity.

He wants us to remember how she was criticized.

  • Many disciples rebuke Mary for using such an expensive perfume bottle to anoint Jesus (Mark 14:4-7). Judas leads the charge. He is a thief who only wants to steal the proceeds from the sale.
  • Jesus defends Mary’s actions. He says that she did good and deserved to be commended.
  • Sometimes we also will be criticized by fellow disciples. Instead of letting that get us down, we need to focus on pleasing the Lord first (Galatians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 4:2-4).

He wants us to remember that “she has done what she could” (Mark 14:8).                                       

  • While Mary wasn’t an apostle or preacher, she still offers valuable service to Jesus.
  • She does not resent the talents of other disciples. Instead, she focuses on what she could do at the moment to glorify her Lord.
  • We all have something we can do in the kingdom (1 Peter 4:10-11). God demands that we be good stewards of whatever abilities He gives us to serve.

He wants us to remember that she was timely.

  • Jesus commends Mary’s action because it comes at the right time (Mark 14:8-9). She believes that the Lord is going to die soon. She seizes the opportunity to honor Him before He completes the scheme of redemption.
  • We also must strive to offer timely service to others. This includes helping a lost soul seeking, grieving with someone, and restoring the erring.

Conclusion:

Like Mary, are you also a servant of the Lord?