While studying admirable women in the Bible, one in particular stands out to me- Mary of Bethany. She was the sister of Lazarus, whom Jesus Christ raised from the dead. She was dear to Christ as she loved being in His presence, often sitting at His feet while He spoke. One evening, Jesus had dinner with Mary, Mary’s sister Martha, Lazarus, and Simon. Mary took out an expensive oil and begin anointing Jesus’s feet with it and wiping them with her hair (John 12:3). When she did this, many people had negative things to say about her because she was a “sinner”. Judas (Jesus’ disciple who later betrayed him) complained that she wasted such an expensive oil while it’s value was enough to feed the poor. (John 12:5) Jesus kindly told him that she was doing the right thing, cherishing her time with Him as she knew that her time with Him was short. The ointment she used to anoint His feet was so expensive that she could have sold it and become rich. It was probably the most expensive thing she owned yet she chose to pour it on the feet on Jesus. What a way to worship the Lord!
Mary sitting at the feet of the Lord, anointing and washing His feet, displayed her reverence for Him. She honored Him. She chose to spend all her time at His feet. Although people had negative things to say about her, it did not stop her worship. She cared more about what the Lord thought about her than what people had to say about her. If only more of us could adopt this mindset. If only we’d spend time at the feet of Jesus like Mary did. If only we’d lift our hands higher, raise our voices louder, part our lips wider despite the negative things people have to say. Nobody knows what you’ve been through more than you know. Nobody knows how hard it was to come out of your past better than you do. Nobody knows the cost of your praise, except you.
Jesus had given the complainers this parable: “There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?” (Luke 7:42) Which one of the debtors do you believe was more grateful? I’m sure that the debtor who owed more was more grateful as it cost the creditor so much more to pardon him. That is what Jesus wanted the complainers to understand. Yes, everyone in town probably knew about Mary’s past. But she was now a new creation in the eyes of the Lord. And for that she was grateful.Grateful for His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace, His Love. So she worshipped, not caring who was looking or listening, or who was complaining about her being there. She had a praise on the inside that she couldn’t keep to herself. And nobody was going to stop her.
Love, Mizz K ♥
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Love, Mizz K ♥ 