John chapter 12

Mary’s Revelation
Mary, the sister of Lazarus, had been following these signs. She had been observing, meditating, and reflecting on who Jesus truly was. Living in Bethany, she had the unique privilege of being close to Jesus and witnessing His works firsthand. Her heart was stirred by the realization: Jesus is God.
Mary’s Act of Worship
Mary’s response to this revelation was profound. She decided to give Jesus her most valuable possession-a jar of expensive perfume, worth a year’s wages. This perfume was often saved as a form of retirement savings, much like putting away gold for a rainy day. But Mary’s perspective shifted. She thought to herself:
If Jesus is truly God, then nothing I own is too costly for Him.
What can I do to show Him that I see and acknowledge Him as my Lord?
Despite cultural barriers and societal expectations, Mary acted in faith and worship. In that time, women were not allowed to undo their hair in public, let alone enter a gathering of men to bow down and wash someone’s feet. But Mary was blind to culture and focused entirely on honoring Jesus. She poured the perfume on Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair, a deeply personal and sacrificial act of worship.
Jesus’ Response
Jesus did not rebuke her. Instead, He defended her actions against the criticism of others. He recognized her act for what it was: a declaration of faith and love, a recognition of His divinity, and a preparation for His burial. Jesus’ acknowledgment affirmed her understanding and her worship.
The Grace to See
When writing my book on the sight of the throne, I reflected on this: God gives grace to open the eyes of our hearts. Mary had this grace. She saw Christ for who He truly was-God veiled in humanity. This revelation allowed her to respond with unreserved worship.
John’s Gospel also connects this to Isaiah. In John 12:41, John says that Isaiah saw Christ when he had his vision of the Lord in Isaiah 6. Isaiah described seeing the Lord “high and exalted,” and John confirms that this vision was of Jesus. To think that our Lord Jesus is the One Isaiah saw fills my heart with awe and worship.