The work of servants

John 12: 3 “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.”

In the John version of our story for this week, Mary’s gift is even more extravagant. Not only does she pour the perfume on Jesus’ feet, but she actually uses her hair to wipe down his feet.

No wonder the others in the room found her action beyond understanding. What might it mean to love Jesus so passionately that you would humble yourself so deeply and give of yourself so freely? What do you think it symbolizes that Mary not only poured all of her valuable possession on Jesus’ feet, but also used her hair to wash his feet? This must have seemed bizarre to the gathering at Simon’s house. Washing feet was the work of servants. And a woman’s hair was considered to be her glory. What do you think Mary is saying by using her hair to wash Jesus' feet in this way?

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Today’s local organization is Precious Lamb Preschool, which serves the homeless children of Long Beach with free preschool. You can learn more about them here: https://www.preciouslamb.org/