Jesus,sweet Jesus, had set Mary free from the demons of her life, free from the condemnation of the broken law of God, free to hear His words, free from her human accusers, and free from her sin, and now He had brought her brother back to life setting him free from the grave! In every way, He had brought her life more abundant and free! Now Jesus was back in Bethany. Martha and Mary were preparing for another feast at Uncle Simon’s home. Jesus was again to be the guest of honor and Lazarus was to be there too. With Lazarus resurrection, Mary and her family felt nothing was too precious to give to Jesus!
ACT: Simon greets Jesus and Lazarus. All the guests lay down to eat.
That evening Mary waited until Jesus was set down with her brother Lazarus.
ACT: Mary comes to the feet of Jesus and kneeling pours the contents of her alabaster box on His feet.
Coming quietly to Jesus, Mary knelt at His feet. In overwhelming gratitude she broke
Her alabaster box, full of a whole pound of spikenard ointment, very costly, and poured its entire contents on the head and feet of Jesus. Immediately the whole house, filled with the odor, exposing to all inside her act of devotion. Her overflowing heart was returning to Jesus of the pure, sanctified love she had received from Him!
ACT: Everyone starts to sniff the air and to look for the reason for the odor. Judas looks at Mary in disdain and asks “why the waste of money?”
Immediately the accuser of the brethren was there to to charge her act with being of the spirit of the devil. Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, and Mary’s cousin but also one of Jesus disciples asked, “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” Why such waste, such extravagance?
What Judas did not understand is that God gave all of heaven when He gave Jesus to our world. His extravagance was without parallel. Mary knew the love of God did not stop short of anything! Yes, Judas might reason that to save one such as herself was a waste of the mercies and resources of heaven. Judas did not comprehend the extravagance of God’s redeeming love. In contrast, Mary could not hide her gratitude for His mercies toward her!
ACT: Jesus talks to Judas
Jesus had something to say to Judas. “Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
ACT: Judas leaves in bitterness
Judas, had been gently corrected regarding the blind insult he had meant to speak regarding Mary but really spoke regarding the Gift of God. Oh Judas, if he had only listened to Jesus. But he ignored the Spirit of God. Sadly, from here, a bitter Judas left the scene to find and conspire with the priests to offer his assistance to betray Jesus. Judas cared more for money than for the success of Christ’s kingdom or the spread of the truth. Judas prized his Lord just enough to sell Him for a few pieces of silver.
Author: Sharon Oxentenko