Mary’s Offering

The incident is full of instruction. The world’s Redeemer was nearing the time when he was to give his life for a sinful world, yet how little even his disciples realized
what was before them!

Mary could not reason upon this subject; but by the Holy Spirit’s power she saw in Jesus one who had come to seek and to save the souls that were ready to perish, and she was filled with a pure, holy love for Him. The sentiment of her heart was, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” The ointment, costly as it was, expressed but poorly Mary’s love for the Saviour.

Christ delighted in Mary’s earnest desire to do the will of her Lord. He accepted the wealth of pure affection that his disciples would not understand. The desire that Mary had to do this service was of more value to Christ than all the precious ointment in the world, because it expressed her appreciation of her Redeemer.

It was the love of Christ that constrained her. The matchless excellency of the character of Christ filled her mind and heart, and the ointment was a symbol of the overflowing love of the giver. It was the outward demonstration of a love fed by heavenly springs until it overflowed.