“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

“But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.”

“Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.”  (John 12:1-5,7,9)

A Unique Family

The occasion for the party was the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus was part of a family who was very close to the Lord Jesus. Along with his sisters, Mary, and Martha, he had the unique privilege of being known as a friend of Jesus. Jesus and his disciples had spent much time at their home as they passed through Bethany on their way to Jerusalem. On two other occasions, Jesus has been with this family at a point of crisis.

Jesus’ first recorded visit was in Luke 10:38-42. He told Martha to stop worrying over the serving of the food and to take advantage of the opportunity to sit at his feet and hear the word of God. Martha was one who seemed to worry over many things and be concerned with what people thought of her. She could have served people at any other party. This party had her savior as a guest. Mary had dropped everything and was sitting by Jesus listening to every word He spoke. Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the “good part” (vs. 42). The Greek word means “the better portion.” The promises of God are better food than any appetizer or entree Martha could have prepared.

The Crisis

The second occasion saw the temporary failure of Mary. After listening to the word of God at Jesus’ first visit, she now fell apart over of the death of her brother Lazarus. Instead of worshipping Jesus or trusting in His word, she blamed the death of Lazarus on Him. She said Lazarus would not have died if Jesus would have been present (John 11:32-33). She had forgotten that the word is always present, and the power of God was also in the continual presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and we now have the story of the recovery of Mary.

Some People Never Change

Martha is mentioned first here in John 12.  She is serving.  She was serving at the first visit of Jesus, and she is the one who will spread anger and doubt in the second. After Jesus’ rebuke to her at his first visit and His miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, we find she has not changed at all.

She retreats to her serving but finds it difficult to admit her pride and fully surrender to Jesus. Instead of learning from her sister Mary, she probably resented her. Mary seemed to have a closeness to Jesus no one else had.

Instead of becoming a worshipper herself, Martha became jealous of Mary and inwardly accused her of “using” Jesus to gain personal favor and popularity.

Even worse, she might have thought of Jesus as one who respects one person above another, showing special favor to Mary.  Although Martha would probably not admit it, she was angry at God over what her life had become.

What Worship is Not

There are four reactions to the presence of Jesus that are taught in this story. The first three are what worship is not.  The fourth is what worship is.

1.    Lasarus fellowshipped with Jesus – We are told Lazarus “sat at the table with Him.”  Fellowship includes prayer, study of the word of God, and enjoying the company of other believers.  Fellowship with God and fellow believers is commendable and even commanded.  Fellowship is not worship.

2.   Martha served Jesus and the crowd – Serving the body of Christ is one of the finest ways to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.  To give a cup of cold water to a child of God brings eternal rewards.  To do any good deed to a child of God is to do it to the Lord Jesus (Matthew 25:40).   Service is not worship.

3.   The crowd came to observe the miracle of Lazarus being alive – If you announce miracles, signs, and wonders are occurring in a meeting, people will come from everywhere to observe.  This happened after the resurrection of Lazarus.  The population of other cities came to see the man who had been dead for four days, now seated at the table, eating, and talking with Jesus.  Miracles, signs, and wonders are awesome things to behold, but miracles are not worship.

What Worship Is

Mary is seen three times at Jesus’ feet. The first time she learned His word. The second time she fell at his feet in failure. This last time, she is at Jesus’ feet as a worshipper. The act of worship is not necessarily the same for every person. Some may choose to worship standing up, others sitting or kneeling. The physical position or exact words used by Mary are not important. But Mary’s heart shined through every deed she performed at the feet of Jesus. Her actions spoke louder than words.

Mary brought oil of spikenard.  Spikenard was the rarest of burial oils in the ancient world.  It was only used in the burial of kings.  Rarely for common citizens.  Jesus was more important to her than anyone, including her family.  Mary did not use the spikenard for Lazarus’ burial.  Lazarus could not save her, but the death of Jesus would.

The oil was very expensive.  Judas made the comment that the oil could have been sold for three hundred pence.  This amount was more than one year’s wage.  Imagine taking one year of salary from your savings account or investments to buy one bottle of oil.  Also imagine pouring the entire bottle on someone’s feet.  That person would have to be very important to you.  To Mary, Jesus was the most important person in her life.  Nothing was too valuable to hold back.

Mary anointed Jesus’ feet.  To pour the oil on Jesus, Mary had to break open the box.  The breaking of the alabaster represented Jesus’ body being broken for her.  She poured the oil on Jesus’ feet.  These were the lovely feet which brought her the gospel of peace (Isaiah 52:7).

The odor of the perfume filled the house.  Once the box was broken, the powerful aroma went everywhere.  This represented the sweet-smelling odor of completed salvation, or propitiation, which filled heaven and earth at the completion of Jesus’ work on the cross.

Worshippers leave a legacy behind which ministers to others for generations to come.  Mary’s act of worship leaves an aroma which still lingers today.  Martha’s service, Lasarus’ fellowship and the crowd’s curiosity were all commendable, but Mary’s worship is as powerful today as it was on that day.

How Does Mary Speak to Our Lives?

Mary tells us what is expected in a true worshipper of God. First, a worshipper is wise in God’s word. Secondly, a worshipper is very appreciative of God’s gifts. Thirdly, a true worshipper is a great giver, knowing nothing is greater than God’s gift of eternal life. Fourthly, a true worshipper does not care what other people think about their devotion to God. Fifth, a worshipper will be criticized by others, but does not care what anyone may think or say. Finally, a true worshipper will be remembered by people, but most of all by God.