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What was in Mary's hearts as she presented her gift to Jesus?

Text: John 12 : 1 - 8

WHAT WAS IN MARY’S HEART AS SHE PRESENTED HER GIFT TO JESUS?

We must not think that Mary couldn’t calculate the cost of her gift when she dedicated the spikenard to Jesus. We must not think that Judas and the other men Disciples were right when she gave to Jesus this special gift.

In order to understand her gift, we must try and imagine what she must have felt in the depth of her heart. Let us try and understand how she might have felt as she contemplated the presentation of her gift to Jesus.

1. Jesus had given her salvation

This must be the first thought that comes to our mind! She had been given the glorious gift of salvation. What could she give back to her Saviour in return?

2. Jesus had given her friendship

Jesus chose to stay in her home each time He came to minister in Judea. He could have chosen to stay in almost any other home, but no, He always seemed to choose to stay in the home she shared with her siblings! How do you say “Thank you” for the rare gift of friendship from none other than Jesus Himself?

3. Jesus had taught her

What a joy it was to hear Jesus teaching God’s Word! He had allowed her to sit at His feet literally. He had defended her when her sister Martha had grumbled against her (Luke 10:38-42). While others could only hear Him speak from a distance, she sat at the very feet of Jesus! How does one express the depth of joy for this distinct privilege?

4. Jesus had healed her brother from leprosy

Mary was particularly close to her siblings, her brother especially. He was once called Simon the Leper. But Jesus had healed him. Leprosy was a dreaded disease. To have leprosy was to be one of the living-dead. The leper was shunned by society. The law stipulated that the leper must be put together with other lepers. They were to be housed outside the town. But Lazarus had been healed and fully restored to normal life. How does one begin to express depth of gratitude?

5. Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead.

She remembered how she spoke to Jesus when He had come only after her brother had died. She had reproached Him for having come too late. But no, He was not too late. He was never too late! He was the Resurrection and the Life. He raised Lazarus from the dead and gave him back to her and Martha! How many people had this rare miracle done for them?

6. Jesus had loved her and her family particularly

The love that Jesus had for this family was well known to the Disciples and to others (John 11:3, 5, 36). How does one reciprocate such love?

7. Jesus was going to His death soon

Jesus had taught His Disciples time and again that He would suffer and then die at the hands of the Jews. The thought of death was still fresh in Mary’s heart. She had been so heartbroken when her brother had died. Death was so terrifying.

She knew that Jesus would soon go to His death. The men Disciples did not seem to have fully understood that the hour of His death was sooner than they realized. Her heart must have been torn asunder as she thought about the suffering and death of her beloved Jesus! Who could understand what it means to lose Someone as precious as Jesus?

At least these seven things were in Mary’s heart as she contemplated her gift to be given to Jesus! What was her gift compared to what she had been given by Jesus!

AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE!

What Mary did was right and appropriate. Let us be reminded of two lovely hymns that we sing in Church now and again. The first hymn is appropriately entitled, “My Tribute”. The words of the hymn are familiar to many,

“How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me –
Things so undeserved, yet You give to prove Your love for me?
The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude –
All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.”
Andrae Crouch

In the words of the more traditional hymn by Watts who wrote, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”,

“When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.”
Isaac Watts

HOW WELL DO WE REALLY LOVE JESUS?

The gift that Mary gave to Jesus obviously represented the depth of love that she had for Him. There is a distinct relationship between our love for Jesus and our love offerings. How well do we really love Jesus? If our giving is reflective of our love for Jesus, how sacrificial is our giving?

Let us take time to ponder over all that the Lord has blessed us throughout our life. How should we reciprocate? Mary’s example of giving her flask of spikenard to Jesus was surely recorded for us to emulate.