In Mark chapter 14 the Lord comes again to the home at Bethany, a home He had visited many times and a place where His power had previously been seen in the resurrection of His friend Lazarus (John chp 11). The Lords previous visit to Bethany in John chapter 11 had marked a time of bitter disappointment and sorrow for Mary and her sister Martha. If only the Lord had come sooner to Bethany "my brother had not died" (John 11). Mary had been so grieved at the death of her brother that when the Lord finally arrived, 4 days late, she "sat still in the house" (John11:20), unable to face Him, perhaps even doubting His care and concern. John chapter 11 had been a time of weeping for Mary, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). In Mark chapter 14 we are in the same place: Bethany and with the same person: Mary, but whereas John chapter 11 marked a time of weeping for Mary, Mark chapter 14 records a time of worship.
Surrounded by men who knew far more about the scriptures than Mary did; men like the scribes and the chief priests of Mk14:1; men of education, Mary had something that went beyond an education she had an experience of Christ and with that an appreciation of Christ. As Christ spoke about His death and resurrection (Mark 10:34; 14:28) Mary had no doubt that what He said He could and would perform. She had confidence and faith that had been bought through the crises and fears of John chapter 11. She knew that if the Lord spoke of His resurrection then she could take Him at His word; she had known the reality of Christ as the resurrection and the life from personal experience.
Mary's faith allowed her to go beyond normal protocol, to break with the normal pattern and to anoint His body for the burial BEFORE He had died (14:8)! Faith grasped its opportunity for service and devotion to Christ, for when He died, the grave could not contain Him and opportunities for devotion and service would be forever lost. Those who waited till after His death to anoint His body were too late (Mark 16:1ff)! Mary did what she could (14:8), when she could!
Mary's faith had been costly in its purchase, strengthened through the testing and trying experiences of John 11, but now her faith strengthened through adversity was strong enough to pour out the ointment upon His head.
There is a special beauty in the broken box. So much of the worship of scripture comes from the broken box:
- The first time we read of the word 'pray' in the life of Samson, he is chained between 2 pillars, in fetters of brass and with his eyes taken out - the fragrance of the broken box.
- Moses is 40 years in Egypt learning to be something, the son of Pharaoh's daughter but not until he passes 40 years in the backside of the desert learning to be nothing is he useful and useable by God - the beauty of the broken box.
- Consider the prayer of Hannah in 1 Samuel as she pours out her heart to the Lord in the temple feeling bitterly her years of barrenness - the beauty of a broken box.
- As Naomi returns to Bethlehem, the 'House of Bread' in Ruth chapter 1, she will return not now full, she went out full but she will now return empty. She returns to the House of Bread, broken and empty.
Yours in Christ
Stewart
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