Mary of Bethany: At Jesus’ Feet
Day 5, Week 5 of Beautifully Surrendered, A Love God Greatly Study
Today’s Reading: Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-44, John12:1-11; SOAP – John 12:3
Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
John 12:3 NLT
Observation: What’s the Story
Mary was continually found at the feet of Jesus. Read the passage again and watch as she sits at His feet listening to Him talk and teach. Look and listen as she falls at His feet weeping over the death of her brother. Then, take in the beauty of her extravagant act of celebration and worship of Jesus’s resurrection of Lazarus; she poured out the best of what she had onto His feet and and then wiped them with her hair. Her devotion to Jesus was quite clear in both her words and actions, even to the point of defying cultural norms.
Application: How Then Should We live?
Jesus told Martha that Mary had “chosen” the best part. So, since a favorable opinion from Christ is the best of everything we can hope for, we would be wise to choose as Mary did to sit at His feet, soaking up His Words as we listen to Him talk or teach. Likewise, we should not be afraid to fall at His feet in our sorrows weeping and sharing our thoughts or regrets with Him. Mary did this and Jesus was “intensely moved in spirit”, even to the point of weeping and calling Lazarus out of the grave! Lastly, by Mary’s example, we should be willing to pour out the best of ourselves at His feet in grateful adoration of who He is and what He’s done.
Prayer: Response to His Word
Father, thank You for showing us Mary’s heart and passion for Jesus, our Savior. Despite cultural norms and people’s opinions she desired to be “at Jesus’ feet”. Oh that we might choose well, as Christ said Mary did – letting nothing hold us back from being at His feet.
YOUR TURN: Set aside time to read and reflect on each of the passages
What’s your take away from the story about Mary of Bethany?
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Her Actions spoke louder than words
Many people praise God with their words, but Mary of Bethany praised God through her actions.
- Why do you think her actions “spoke” louder than any words she could have said?
- What can you do to sit at His feet?
- What sorrows or concerns do you have that would be better laid at His feet?
- What can you ‘anoint His feet’ with?
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