Holy Wednesday-The Anointing at Bethany

John 12:1 ESV

“Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

Foreshadowing of Death and Burial:

Mary’s act of anointing Jesus with precious perfume is understood by Jesus Himself as preparing him for His burial. 

Recognition of Jesus’s Identity:

Mary’s act of worship, pouring out the expensive perfume, demonstrates her recognition that Jesus is who He says He is, “The Coming One,” the anointed, the Messiah, the Holy One of God.

Symbolic Act of Worship:

The anointing, especially with expensive perfume, was an act of devotion and honor reserved for kings or those considered divinely inspired. 

Jesus’s Acceptance and Blessing:

Jesus does not condemn Mary’s actions but instead affirms them, saying that she has done a beautiful thing and that she is preparing Him for His burial. He also emphasized the importance of her act.

Prayer:

Lord, we honor You this morning as our King. We may not be able to anoint You with oil but we anoint You with our praise and admiration for what You did for us. Thank You for the sacrifice, thank You for setting us free from sin and condemnation. Mary recognized who You were and she desired to bless You in the best way that she knew how. We honor You Lord with our hearts, minds and with our lips, as we glorify You today, let our praise be our anointing of You. In You Righteous name Lord Jesus, Amen!