In the village of Bethany, there was a house filled with warmth and friendship. Jesus often visited this place, where he was loved and welcomed by Mary, Martha, and their brother, Lazarus. One evening, as Jesus sat at the table with his disciples, a remarkable event unfolded.
Mary, the sister of Lazarus, had been deeply moved by Jesus’ teachings and miracles. She had seen how he had raised her brother from the dead, and her heart was overflowing with gratitude. As Jesus reclined at the table, Mary quietly approached him. She carried an alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume, a rare and precious ointment.
Without a word, she broke the seal of the jar and began to pour the fragrant oil over Jesus’ feet. The room was filled with the rich, intoxicating scent of the perfume. Mary then knelt down and, with her long hair, wiped Jesus’ feet, an act of humble devotion and love.
The disciples were shocked. Judas Iscariot, in particular, was indignant. He complained, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” His words revealed his own greed, but Mary’s actions spoke of a different kind of value.
Jesus, however, understood the depth of Mary’s gesture. He gently rebuked Judas and said, “Leave her alone. She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. She has kept this perfume for the day of my burial.”
In that moment, Mary’s act of love became a powerful symbol. She had anointed Jesus in anticipation of his death, a sacrifice he would soon make for the sins of humanity. Her simple, heartfelt gesture was a reminder that true worship is not about wealth or status, but about pouring out one’s love and devotion.
The story of the anointing at Bethany teaches us that even the smallest acts of love can have profound significance. It shows us that Jesus values the sincere devotion of his followers, and that sometimes, the most beautiful things in life are those that come from the heart.