Mary’s First Appearance in Scripture

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”—Luke 10:38-42

What is the lesson in this story?

Did Jesus mean that what Martha was doing was not important? Someone had to do the serving, right?

There is a time to serve, but then there is a time to sit at Jesus feet. Are we today so involved in serving that we forget the communing with Jesus?

But that is not the end of the story about the two sisters. Later on their brother Lazarus became sick. Jesus was sent for, but waited two days longer before he started out for Bethany. In fact while He was waiting Lazarus died. Jesus arrived after he had been dead for four days.

“Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.”—John 11:20

Mary goes to Him.

John 11:32 “Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.”

We all know the end of the story. Jesus goes to the tomb where they had laid Lazarus and raised him from the dead.

The last time we hear about Mary, Martha and Lazarus is 6 days before the Passover, the night before Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus was having dinner with them again.

“Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then said one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him. Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?…Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.” —John 12:1-5,7

Mary’s love for Jesus was demonstrated by her sacrificial gift and humility.

Mary was not the only one mentioned in Scripture to have done this.

Luke 7:36-50 A woman who was a sinner anoints Jesus feet in the house of a local Pharisee. Jesus told her that her sins were forgiven her.
This event seemed to have happened in the middle of Jesus’ ministry in the area of Galilee.

Another woman anoints Jesus’ head in the house of Simon the leper 2 days before the Passover.—Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:1-9

Let’s look at these three women.

Two of the women who anointed Jesus were nameless, one was Mary of Bethany. Two seemed to not know Him very well, but their love and admiration for Him, compelled them to do this. One woman was a sinner who Jesus forgave.

Mary knew Him very well.

There are three types of people in this world that these three women represent. Even though it was women who anointed Jesus, men can put themselves in this place as well. The Church as a whole (men and women) is the Bride of Christ, which is feminine.

Those who need mercy and don’t know Jesus. They have just heard about Him. He will not turn them away. They need forgiveness and salvation.

Those who are saved, but don’t know Jesus very well. They need to make a stand for Him. He needs to be their Lord, the Head of their lives.

Those who know Jesus well. They give Him their all, without thought of the expense or criticism from others.

How do you pour out your alabaster box of ointment on Jesus’ feet?

1. Surrender

2. Worship

3. Obedience

Word of the Lord

“I want you to open your spiritual eyes and look beyond the natural things that appear in front of you. Deception is lurking around every corner to distract and upend the Holy Spirit’s plan of action. It is a time to atune your ear to the music and rhythm of heaven. Let My word speak clarity into your heart and soul.

Let your mind come into agreement with faith and trust in My promises.
What I say is true no matter what the world says. Believe the report of the Lord and you will not be persuaded by the negative images portrayed by those who speak doubt and unbelief, those who have no idea how to walk with Me.

Remember I am for you and not against you, but you must answer the call to choose you this day whom you will serve. Will you serve lies and deception? Will you serve death and destruction? Will you serve the enemy of your soul and give in to his devices and temptations?

Jesus’ call to take up your cross and follow Him is still current. Will you pick it up and be one of those who say, “Yes, I will follow?” Hurry, run. It’s not too late to catch up and to receive all that I have for you.” Saith the Lord.