The sacrifice of Mary

“Then Mary took about a pint 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

As we read this passage we see that Mary had a gesture of love and gratitude to the Lord Jesus by pouring perfume at His feet. Although it seems a simple attitude, we see that the perfume was rare and it was equivalent to the salary of a year of work. Then we see that far more than a gentle attitude what Mary did was a real sacrifice. At that time single girls used to save money for their wedding day. With this gesture she gave her future and her dreams to the hands of the Lord Jesus. Her faith led her to sacrifice by giving everything to the Lord and remaining in His dependence.

At that time, it was not a good idea for a single girl to touch a man's feet. But Mary knew that the Messiah was not an ordinary man. Regardless of being judged or what others would think or say about her, she knelt down and anointed Jesus' feet. There she materialized her faith and showed that He was the first and most important in her life.

She stood before the Altar and would not miss the opportunity to trow herself on the Altar. How many people are afraid to take a step of faith, always worried about the opinion of others, listening to negative words and feelings of doubt and defeat. When we do what is right and we are driven by faith, we are sure that the outcome will come in the form of blessings.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to throw ourselves into the Altar with faith and doubts remain within us.

Mary is a great example to us all. I don’t get tired of writing about her because whenever I read about her, God reveals something new to me. Perhaps people see what you do to God as something not important. Judas Iscariot also saw Mary's attitude as not important; but she knew that she was pleasing her Lord and her gesture for him was accepted. Without knowing that His death was near, she was preparing the Lord Jesus for the grave (read John 12: 3-7). Mary left there justified and all who depend on the Altar will also be justified by Him.    

Do you believe?

  
 

Translated by Márcia Sebastião