Mary prepares Jesus's Body for his Burial

Verses: John 12 : 1 - 8

My thoughts about the verses:

Each religion creates its own way of handing the body at the time of death.  Some cultures allow for a person to be cremated.  While other groups see this as a direct opposite to the way things should be done.  In some cultures the body is buried within 24 hours while in other traditions wakes or funerals are held.  There are also traditions for preparing the body that may vary depending on the way the person died.

It is hard for many of us to understand the significance of the perfume being poured on Jesus's feet.  It is Even harder for us to understand Mary drying his feet with her own hair.  To understand this one must look at the Jewish customs of the first century.  You must remind yourself that things were different than they are now.  The body was seen as a vessel for the spirit.  The body’s death allowed the Spirit to be released and had to be treated with dignity.

With this in mind let us consider a few of the Jewish customs mandated when a person died.  The custom would have dictated that the body to be washed so that it would be purified.  Then the body would be anointed by perfumes and spices.   The body would be wrapped in white linen cloth. Once this occurred the body would be placed in a tomb carved out of the side of a hill or mountain. All of this would occur within the first 24hours.  The rules change if the Sabbath is involved.  With the Sabbath no one was to work so if a person died to close to the start of the Sabbath or during they would have their bodies prepared after the Sabbath.  There were also special conditions made for those that died and loss blood during their death.

Let us then go back to this pivotal moment in the life of Jesus.  The Passover feast is happening.  His followers are gathered and preparing to eat a meal in Lazarus's home.  Martha is doing all the cooking. Mary then walks into the scene with very expensive perfume.  She begins pouring it on Jesus feet.  Then she uses her hair to clean his feet.  Think about this a moment this was the greatest act of hospitality. She had cleaned her Messiah's feet with the only thing she had her hair.

Lazarus objects saying that they should have sold the perfume and given the money to the poor.  Jesus responds by saying that Mary had done the right thing.  She was preparing his body for burial.  You can almost see the looks in the room.  Jesus was not dead how could he be saying such things?  How could he agree that what Mary was doing was better than giving the money to the poor?

Jesus knew that his time was drawing to an end.  He knew that it would be very violent and that there would not be time for a proper burial.  He was once again preparing the followers for the end of his life with them.  That they would have time to go out and help others yet, they would have to do it alone. This moment would be one of their last and they could be comforted that he had been properly taken care of before he was placed in the tomb.

Mary through her actions was preparing the Messiah to go onto the next level.  Her gift was out of ultimate love and servant hood.  She was teaching us all to take care of those that we love while we still have them.  We are not guaranteed tomorrows.  So we should do for our loved ones now while they are alive because tomorrow they may not be here with us.

Prayer:

Dear God we thank you for showing us  how to love others.  Thank you for giving us your precious life and blood.  Dear savior we ask that you help us love others.  Help us show them hospitality at all cost. Help us not to be afraid to do the things that you have called us to do.  In the name of the risen Savior we pray.  Amen

Questions:

what are you willing to sacrifice for the ones you love?  Have you told the people in your life how much they mean to you?  Have you prepared your heart for Jesus to enter?  Have you been there for those in need?  What do you need to do today to make someone’s life more comfortable?