A Show-Stopping Woman
“The Anointing of Christ” by Julia Stankova, 2009.
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected . . .. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” -John 12: 1-8
A friend and I were recently discussing this incredible scene that took place just days before Jesus’ crucifixion. Noting that Mary’s talented sister Martha is there dutifully serving dinner reminded us that this wasn’t the first time that Mary had made a nuisance of herself, acting inappropriately while Martha is doing all the necessary work. If she were Martha, my friend would’ve asked, “How does she get away with it?”
Isn’t that the question of every hard-working, dutiful woman who envies Mary’s boldness and freedom while feeling impossibly restrained by personal and societal demands and expectations? How does she get away with it?
Implication: I would never be able to get away with that (and I would never try).
I have been haunted by the question. If you compare this story with versions in Matthew and Mark (and possibly Luke if you think that story is the same one), everyone else in the room is irritated, mortified, disgusted, dismissive . . . judging her hard. Mary is persona non grata. Like every other prophet before her, she was not welcomed in her own hometown. It seems as if she has gotten away with nothing.
Except, there is one person . . . the One and Only . . . who sees rightly. And He approves.
The one person who mattered, the “one needful thing”, HE saw the drama differently. He, the Logos, the Creator of the Universe wrapped in human garb, was recognized. And she worshipped Him with all her soul. Careless of what anyone else thought of her, she didn’t defend herself or act offended by their rebukes. She knew that HE would receive her, and what else mattered? In front of every wide-eyed witness, she boldly approached His earthly body, reaching out and touching it with her tears, her hair, her hands. And while everyone else just wanted her to stop, Jesus let her have her fill of him. “It will not be taken away from her”.
Jesus protected her right to be there, defended her against the critics. And more. He told everyone that she has done a beautiful thing, a thing that will be told wherever the gospel is told (Matthew 26). Her actions are PART OF THE GOSPEL STORY! Her story is supposed to teach something. And maybe that’s what is so annoying. What about me? I’ve been faithfully serving you, and you have never given me so much as an “honorable mention” (see Luke 15). Everyone else in the room is . . . annoyed? shocked? disgusted? jealous? that she is getting away with this dramatic nonsense.
But maybe . . . maybe at least one of them is inspired by her extravagant love.
In the very next chapter of John, with the fragrance of nard still emanating from His pores, Jesus scandalizes His disciples by kneeling down next to their feet, assuming a posture that is fresh on their minds. Panic rises in their chests. Not only did He praise Mary’s outrageous act, now He imitates her!
Afterwards, He says to His disciples “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” It’s as if He says, “Yes, guys, Mary has given us a great demonstration of love, and — surprise — you must love each other that way too. Those who rule in the coming kingdom with me will not be sitting at my right hand and my left — they will be kneeling beside some dusty, bruised, and bloody feet.”
What did Mary of Bethany get away with exactly? The prophetess has anointed her Beloved for burial and captured her Lord’s heart.
