A Remarkable Gift to Jesus

Read John 12:1-11

Mary gave a remarkable gift to Jesus. Nard, sometimes known as spikenard, is an oil derived from plants native to northern India. This was an extremely expensive substance back then. Mary’s use of the oil reflects her humility and devotion of Jesus. Wiping someone’s feet was a sign of deference and servanthood. Women in this era frequently kept their hair covered in public, but Mary, on the other hand, used her hair to wipe Jesus’ feet. While the image may appear strange to modern eyes, it was a highly intimate, self-revealing act during their time. She was placing herself in a position of lowliness and quasi-nudity.

Mary knew what she did was against their culture’s rules. She knew her gift to Jesus was very costly, which was worth a year’s wages for a workingman. She knew she should not be at the feet of Jesus. In their culture, women were not allowed to learn directly from a teacher. But Mary’s focus was fixed on Jesus alone. She does not care what would be the implications of her actions or of what other people thought of her. Mary surrendered to Jesus whatever the consequences of her actions will be.