Daily Scripture

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume…. Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. (John 12:1-3,7)

Daily Reflection

Mary’s love for Jesus is extravagant, over flowing and slightly embarrassing for the other people present. Her extraordinary gesture of anointing him with the most expensive perfume and wiping his feet with her hair must have seemed OTT even in that setting, where they had witnessed many things – not the least Lazarus’ resurrection from the dead. But before the week is over, Jesus himself will have died, been buried and finally resurrected. Not even his friends in Bethany could have foreseen what was about to happen. But Mary sensed that his death was drawing near and she wanted to prepare him, as best she could…

Today is the start of Holy Week, when we walk with Jesus to his cross, his tomb and his resurrection. Will you join him on his road through pain to glory?

Revd Ylva