Mary’s perfume - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
John 12:1-3.

Mary's perfume
Why was Mary there?

She had not come to hear a sermon, even if the greatest of preachers was present. Her purpose that day was not to sit at Jesus' feet to listen to His Word, however much she enjoyed doing so (cf. Luke 10:39).

She had not come to pray to Him or to seek His consolation, as on the day when He, the Master, had resurrected her brother Lazarus from the dead (cf. John 11:43.44).

Nor had she come with the intention of meeting other disciples, even if fellowship with them was always a happy experience.

She hadn't come after a working week to be encouraged by the Master, knowing from experience that He, better than anyone else, was capable of understanding her.

At that moment when all was being mobilised against the holy Son of God, Mary had come to pour over His feet, as a sign of homage, the extremely valuable perfume that she had kept for Him. Jesus alone filled her heart with gratitude and adoration.

Mary's attitude and the purpose that motivated her to be where the Lord was are exemplary for all who gather around Him to worship Him.

"Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her" (Mark 14:9).

Today's reading: Exodus 18:1-12 · Luke 8:1-8