The Gift

This gift offered by Mary serves a similar function to the gifts we give at Christmas. Christmas isn’t a celebration of our generosity. The gifts we give point to the greatest gift ever given: a Savior.

The gift amounted to a Roman pound, which converts to between eleven and twelve ounces—about the size of a can of soda. John describes it as “expensive” (v. 3). It was equivalent to three hundred denarii (v. 5)—one denarius was equal to a day’s wage for the average worker. The cost was approximately one year’s salary. The gift is “pure”—it’s not an imitation, not a cheap knockoff. Her gift reminds us of the surpassing value of Jesus Christ. Mary realizes it’s worth it to give all to Jesus. She doesn’t pick the cheap perfume. She doesn’t dab a little bit on the inside of his wrists. She brings out the best, most extravagant, most expensive ointment of the day, and she pours every ounce on him. Her gift is her way of yelling from the top of a mountain, “Jesus is worth it!”

The example of Mary forces us to consider what a right response to Jesus looks like. If we really see Jesus for who he is—the almighty, infinite God of the universe who condescended to take on human form so that he could die a brutal death in the place of his rebellious creatures—if we understand his beauty—that he is the all-satisfying, wondrous, joyful God who promises to give peace, blessing, and satisfaction in himself to those who come to him—if we get this, how can we possibly withhold anything from him?

When was the last time you demonstrated extravagant love for him? What does extravagant love for Christ look like now? He’s not physically present. We can’t copy Mary’s act by giving him tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of perfume. There’s not a simple, one-size-fits-all answer. Her extravagant love was revealed in the fact she didn’t robotically respond to someone’s command. She knew him and loved him so much she did the hard work of thinking about what he would love and how she could demonstrate her love to him.

In verse 3 Mary pours this perfume on Jesus’s feet. Twice John mentions it, and then he states that she wiped his feet with her hair—an act of great humility. In spite of her extravagant love, Mary never lost sight of the glory of Jesus. Her act of love was carried out with deep reverence. What a contrast to the arrogance of the religious leaders in chapter 11, who think they have the right to kill an innocent man.

The emphasis on the washing of Jesus’s feet points us ahead to the next chapter where Jesus humbles himself and washes the feet of his disciples; then he commands them to go and do likewise. Mary exhibits the rare combination of generosity and humility. She gives a tremendous gift with no desire for the spotlight. How easily our most sacrificial acts of love can turn into a platform for self-promotion. Like Mary, may we give extravagantly, all the while directing the glory and praise to Jesus.

John intends for us to see a contrast between Mary and Judas. John often portrays the truth by using contrasts. His favorite is the contrast between light and darkness.

For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.(3:20-21)

We see this perfectly illustrated by two who attended the banquet. Judas does wicked things and hates (even condemns and then betrays) the light. Mary has come to the light, and it’s clear her works have been carried out by the grace and power of God. Mary’s love rings authentic. Judas is a hypocrite. His cold, faithless heart is masked by a cloak of self-righteous piety.

Judas serves as a warning. He looked and spoke the part of a disciple. He could have supported his suggestion to give the money to the poor with hundreds of Old Testament verses. However, his motive was self-centered. He was only concerned about what he could get from Jesus. Judas looks good on the outside. At a glance he seems moral, but money and possessions are more important to him than Jesus. What did he do when faced with the decision to give up his stuff or give up Jesus? Stuff wins. Sorry, Jesus. Mary, on the other hand, viewed possessions as an opportunity to bless Jesus. How do you view possessions?

In verse 3 John says, “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” Love has an undeniable fragrance, and when you smell it, you want to linger there. You can’t get enough. Mary’s gift helps us catch the faint whiff of love and leaves us longing for more. We wait for the day when the fragrance of love fills the whole world.