Jesus Anointed at Bethany
ISAIAH 42:1-7; PSALM 27; JOHN 12:1-11
All four gospels present an account of Jesus being anointed by a woman with a costly jar of perfume (Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8). Only John’w gospel identified the woman as Mary of Bethany (John 11:2), sister to Martha and Lazarus. Mary’s act was an expression of thanksgiving for the miraculous restoration of their brother Lazarus.
The ointment used was an expensive one. The gospel says; “Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3). However, Judas criticized this act but Jesus defended Mary from Judas’s criticism by pointing out Mary’s unique opportunity: “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me” (John 12:8).
There is nothing we give to God that is too expensive. He deserves the best of our gifts and resources. David understood this fact when he bought the threshing place and the oxen for fifty pieces of silver, for he says “..I will not offer to the Lord my God sacrifices that have cost me nothing” (2Sam.24:24; 1Chron.21:24). Like Mary let’s express gratitude to God with unreserved love and devotion.
Mary’s anointing emphasizes Christ’s status as Servant-King as well as His identification as the Messiah-King. By anointing and wiping his feet with her hair she foreshadows Christ’s actions in the Last Supper, when Jesus washes the followers’ feet and instructs them on how to love one another through selfless, humble service (John 13:1–20).
Jesus was “anointed” by God in preparation for His life’s work (Luke 3:22; Acts 10:38; Luke 4:18). But was anointed with fragrant ointment in His work as the Savior, the King of heaven who was in preparation to die to save His people thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading (Is. 42:1-3).
LET US PRAY
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, though in our weakness we fail, we may be revived through the Passion of your Only Begotten Son.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
