Bible Verse: John 12:3
“Then Mary took about half a litre 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.”
I quote this bible verse today in contrast to the passage in Luke chapter 7 to show that there was more than one occasion in the Gospels when Jesus’ feet were anointed with perfume. Here in John’s Gospel Jesus says of Mary: “It was meant that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial”. In other words Mary understood in some way that it was imperative for Jesus Christ to die.
She may not have understood this clearly, but she had more insight than the disciples had to whom Jesus had clearly reported that he was to die and rise again on several occasions.
The unnamed woman in Luke chapter 7 is simply an anonymous sinner filled with gratitude at the gift of forgiveness she received from Jesus because she put her faith in him.
It is interesting however to contrast the two events because putting them together we are reminded that the death of Jesus on the Cross and the forgiveness of sin always go together. We must never make the mistake of separating these two matters.
There are those today who feel that they need to confess their sins to ministers or priests to obtain forgiveness. Others believe that they can work off a debt to God by being extra good. Yet others feel no sense of obligation to God at all for they do not perceive themselves as sinners at all.
We should always remember that “all have sinned”; “there is none righteous, no not one”. This applies even to those who have done their very best to live upright lives.
Our lives can never be so good as to wipe out the debt of sin and pride that makes us refuse to accept God’s Son as our Saviour.
So the Cross upon which Jesus died becomes the instrument of execution for Jesus where He offers up Himself as a substitute in our place. Thus our sins are forgiven and we are free from the judgement that is coming upon the world. But that forgiveness and freedom is only given us upon our repentance and trust in Him. I sincerely hope this is true of you.
Let our hearts be filled with gratitude for this great gift so that we may share it with all around us.
Prayer:- Almighty God, thank you for granting me light to understand what Jesus accomplished for us by His death on the Cross. O God please keep me filled with a sense of wonder at the great event. Amen.