April 6, 2019
For full passage click: John 12:1-3 …“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” vs. 3
Both Luke and John tell us that Mary and Martha are friends of Jesus and that they lived in the village of Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem. Because they show up regularly in our gospel readings and preachers like to talk about them, we feel we know them well. Mary was the spiritual sister and she loved to sit and listen to Jesus. Martha was the practical one and she was the one who did all the work when Jesus came to visit. All of us have met their equivalents in our congregations! John indicates that Mary knew what was coming for Jesus, and during their last meal together, does for him what a couple of days later he would do for his disciples. She wanted him to know before he died that her love for him was priceless. Jesus knew what she was doing and it touched him deeply. Some of us have had the opportunity to do such things for those we love so much. When we sense that death is coming we want them to know how much we care and we shower our affection upon them with cards and kisses, and most of all–our presence. It means so much for the one we honor. To die knowing that we are loved, is more precious than anything in our world. It can even bring peace to troubled souls!
Thought for the Day: What gift could I give to a dying friend?
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