July 25, 2023

A Precious Gift

“Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3 (NASB)

            Several months ago, my wife bought some essential oils for our home. She also bought a diffuser. It aerosolizes the oil when mixed with water. We bought one bottle initially, which was meant to reduce stress. I wasn’t sure it worked. I know the house smelled a lot better throughout the day. Maybe there was some benefit, but I was not completely convinced. We did it as an experiment to reduce her migraine headaches. Afterward, I think neck massage was key to reducing some of the stress in her neck, but it had to be another human who could minister to another which made a difference. Honor doesn’t come without a personal touch.

            “Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard…” “Nard is a perennial herb with strong, pleasantly scented roots. It is native to high altitudes in the Himalayas, and its range extends from there into western Asia. The roots and spike-like wooly young stems are dried before the leaves unfold and are used for making perfume. It is still used in India as a perfume for the hair, and there is every reason to believe that the spikenard of Scripture (Song of Solomon 1:12; 4:13, 14; Mark 14:3; John 12:3) came originally from India. Because of the long distance from which it had to be imported it would be understandably expensive. The best spikenard ointment was commonly imported in sealed boxes of alabaster, which were stored and opened only on very special occasions.”[1] This herb is used for various uses such as, “fighting bacteria and fungus, relief from inflammation, relaxing the mind and body, stimulating the immune system, and numerous other ailments.”[2] Mary, “anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” “Mary gave her most treasured possession to Jesus, but our treasured possessions may not be worth as much as Mary’s. That was true for Martha. I get the feeling that Martha did not care about perfume. She valued work, acts of service. Her sacrifice to Jesus was perspiration instead of perfume, and it was just as noble and just as valuable as Mary’s sacrifice.”[3] The men during this time would have reclined at the table. Their feet would have extended outside the table. Jesus along with other’s feet would have been exposed. This was as close as Mary could get. The feet were the lowest and dirtiest part of anyone. She gave all she had, which was valued at one year’s income. This pound of pure nard, “corresponds to the Roman pound of 12 ounces, or 327.45 grams.”[4] This gift was all she had, which was most precious to her, and she sought to honor Jesus with it.

            What would you give to Jesus today? Would it be your bank account? Would it be your position? Would it be a relationship? The question here is, would we give it? Would we give it humbly, or with reservation? Mary gave it without a second thought. It fact, she loosened her hair to wipe His feet, which was a symbol of a woman’s glory. Jesus didn’t hold her back either. Both ladies were passionate in their worship of Jesus. Now, how can you worship Jesus today?

[1] Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Plants. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1716). Baker Book House.

[2] https://draxe.com/essential-oils/spikenard/.

[3] Hughes, R. K. (1999). John: that you may believe (p. 293). Crossway Books.

[4] Newman, B. M., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on the Gospel of John (p. 388). United Bible Societies.