Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
Mary's action in anointing Jesus would have been very shocking given the customs and outlook of the time. It still shocks us today; it's an uncomfortably intimate picture of devotion. It's also a very beautiful image, in which Mary adores Jesus not as a man, but as the Messiah.
Her act provokes a sharp reaction from Judas, who questions its economic value. He has reasons of his own for doing so, but his objection is, on the face of it, not unreasonable.
However, the exchange between him and Jesus shows that there's something wrong with his faith. John tells us that the fragrance of the perfume 'filled the whole house' deliberately (verse 3). It's as though Judas is the only one who can't smell it. Mary has done a beautiful thing, and he's the only one who can't see it.
The world tends to judge by results, usually measured in terms of profit and loss. Christians have a responsibility to be good stewards of their resources, but we judge by different standards; the question for us is, does what we do honour Jesus? What might seem wasteful or pointless to someone with no faith might for the believer be a perfume filling the whole house.
God, thank you for Mary's act of devotion. Show me how I can honour Jesus in what I do, even when the world might think it foolishness.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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