Extravagant Devotion: Mary Anoints The Master In Bethany

Late Winter, c. 33 AD

Extravagant Devotion: Mary Anoints The Master In Bethany

While dining in Bethany at the home of Simon the Leper, a profound act of devotion interrupted the evening meal. Mary, the sister of the recently resurrected Lazarus, approached Jesus with an alabaster vial of extremely pure and costly nard. Breaking the vial, she poured the perfume over His head and feet, weeping and wiping His feet with her hair. The fragrance of the precious ointment, valued at nearly a year's wages, immediately filled the entire house, leaving the guests in stunned silence.

The extravagance of the act drew sharp criticism from some of the disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot, who indignantly argued the perfume should have been sold to help the poor. Jesus quickly rebuked the criticism, defending Mary's actions. He declared that she had performed a noble deed, prophetically anointing His body beforehand for its impending burial. As the shadow of the cross draws nearer, Jesus promised that wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, her beautiful act of sacrifice would be remembered.

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 (LSB)

Timeline Box: John 12 places this anointing dinner in Bethany "six days before the Passover," occurring just prior to the Triumphal Entry.

Second Temple Era, c. 515 BC

The Seven Days Of Temple Preparation

Following the completion of the Sanctuary, the priests have begun a seven-day period of intensive preparation and sanctification. This mimics the original consecration of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Every vessel is being cleaned, every ritual is being practiced, and the sacred fire is being tended with the utmost care to ensure the First Passover in the Second Temple is holy.

Then you shall not go out from the doorway of the tent of meeting for seven days, until the day that the period of your ordination is fulfilled...
— Leviticus 8:33 (LSB)

Timeline Box: The seven days of ordination traditionally preceded the start of the first month (Nisan) and the Passover.

Mosaic Era, 1405 BC

The Death Of Moses On Mount Nebo

On the heights of Pisgah, the greatest prophet Israel has ever known has breathed his last. After viewing the breadth of the Promised Land from the heights, Moses was gathered to his people. Scripture records a detail unlike any other: Yahweh Himself buried Moses in a valley in the land of Moab, and to this day, no one knows the location of his grave.

So Moses the servant of Yahweh died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of Yahweh. And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab... but no one knows his burial place to this day.
— Deuteronomy 34:5-6 (LSB)

Timeline Box: Moses died at 120 years old, at the end of the 40th year of the Exodus, before the crossing of the Jordan.

Editorial: The Fragrance Of Sacrifice

Today we observe what true sacrifice looks like. On Mount Nebo, Moses lays down his life and his leadership, accepting that he will not cross the Jordan so that Joshua may lead the people. In Bethany, Mary pours out an alabaster flask worth a year’s wages, accepting the sharp criticism of the room to honor her King.Judas looked at the perfume and saw a waste of money; Jesus looked at it and saw a preparation for burial. True worship always costs us something. It requires pouring out what we value most. The world may call it extravagant or wasteful, but the fragrance of a life completely poured out for Christ is the only preparation that truly matters.

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