Filled with the fragrance

John 12:1-8
Mary anoints Jesus
 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2012%3A1-8&version=NRSVUE
  
When one walks into a room, and notices an unusual aroma, one begins to question, “What’s that smell?” When the aroma is sweet, the tone in the room is pleasant and uplifting. When the aroma is foul, the tone is one of disgust. Whether a good scent or a bad one, the sense of smell sets the tone of the room.
 
In biblical times, the sense of smell was used as a means of divine communication. The scent of the anointing oil was a reminder that God’s presence was with them whether the anointing was for ordained service or the sick and dying. A fragrant incense offering made the lifting of prayers an act of worship as the sweet-smelling prayers wafted up to God.
 
Paul teaches in Ephesians 5:1-2 that Jesus’ sacrificial offering smelled sweet to God, so we should also strive to present ourselves as a similar “sweet-smelling aroma” in the way we live our lives. Mary’s sweet-smelling act certainly pleased God. Her extravagant gift filled the room with the fragrance of devotion that carried Jesus through his final week.
 
What other fragrances filled the room? Judas opposed her sacrificial gift by saying it was a waste of money. Instead of offering this gift to Jesus, he said it should have been used to care for the poor. The narrator quickly told the reader that his intentions were not pure, as he frequently stole from the common purse. He saw “denarii signs” on what he could have purchased with that money. His greed filled the room as he voiced his opposition.
 
The room was also filled with the fragrance of tension and anticipation. The anointing of Jesus is a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. This dinner followed shortly after the raising of Lazarus, which was the event that set things in motion for Jesus’ walk to the cross. Many people believed in Jesus after witnessing Lazarus’ resurrection, and some ran to the Pharisees to tell them what they saw. The Pharisees called a special meeting of the High Council to determine what to do with Jesus. Jesus’ death was quickly approaching, so the stench of death also hung in the air.  Perhaps Mary hoped to cover the foul aroma of greed, plotting, and death with her extravagant fragrance of devotion.
 
Her devotion sprang from gratitude for raising her brother and from belief in seeing with her own eyes who Jesus is. She knew he could have healed her brother, but seeing that he was also able to raise him from the dead confirmed for her that Jesus was the Son of God. She was eternally grateful to be in God’s presence, so the anointing was an act of worship.
 
Mary demonstrated her worship and devotion by lowering herself to anoint Jesus’ feet. Only servants touched people’s feet. She also sacrificed a year’s wage for the cost of the perfume to show that Jesus was worth the sacrifice. Using her own hair, which would normally be covered, suggested a tender moment of offering her whole self. She gave everything to Jesus.
 
Mary’s offering matches Jesus’ offering. In just a few short days, he would give his whole self. He gave everything for us as his act of devotion. Our lives are filled with the fragrance of his never-ending love, and it continues to linger through our sweet-smelling acts of faith. Our devotion to Christ through acts of service certainly set the tone for living a life that is pleasing to God. The tone in the room at Jesus’ anointing included many things, but the one Jesus sought to prioritize was Mary’s devotion.          
 
Reflection Questions:
How do you express your devotion to Jesus?
Do you prioritize it in your life?
How can you express more devotion to Jesus?
 
Pray: Loving God, we want to live a life pleasing to you. Give us courage to live out sweet-smelling acts of faith.
 
Act: Express one act of devotion this week, perhaps one that you have not done before or one that you have not done in a long time.
  
*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.