August 3

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There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. John 12:2-3

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🔊 This scene is at the same time both homely and sublime. It encompasses the wonder of a miraculous life, and practical care for the physical needs of this life. Martha served Jesus Christ by cooking him a dinner, and the aroma of that meal must have filled the room. Lazarus sat with Jesus as one alive from the dead, and the aroma of life, that makes death an irrelevant point in time, also filled the room. Then there was the worship of Mary, who poured out the entire contents of her bottle of perfume. The room was filled with the aroma of life, loving service and loving worship. How this must have pleased God and comforted Jesus as He approached His death and resurrection. This scene encompasses the range of the Christian’s devotion. Our focus is not on big and important occasions that feed our ego; it is on transforming daily moments into acts of worship to the King. Joy is not found in exciting things – it is found in discovering the wonder of Jesus, who sits serene and victorious in the midst of this home. The victories of Christ risen from the dead are indeed vast and marvellous, and yet their greatest impact is to lift the ordinary life of the believer to a world of purity and devotion where the smallest act is an act of worship, and all of life is filled with glorious meaning.