Chapter 13: Mary of Bethany (Great Leaders of the Book)

IN THIS CHAPTER, you will discover: 

A woman who ministered to Jesus by giving Him time. 

A generous friend who gave up her inheritance to anoint Jesus. 

AS A RESULT, you will be able to: 

Devote more time to becoming friends with Jesus.

Allow your possessions to glorify God.

Reading: Talk Thru Bible Personalities, pp. 179-90

Scripture References

Luke 10:38-42 Sat attentively at Jesus? feet.
John 11:1-44 Rejoiced at the raising of Lazarus.
12:1-8 Anointed Jesus with expensive perfume.
Matthew 26:6-13 Accused of wastefulness.
Mark 14:3-9 Remembered forever for her act.
Luke 7:36-50 Forgiven of her sins.

Biographical Observations

Home Away from Home
After leaving home to begin His ministry, Jesus had no place of His own (Matt. 8:20). He no longer felt at home in Nazareth because of His rejection by family and friends (Luke 4:14-30). But He did have three good friends in Bethany. He shared a deep and loving friendship with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.
The depth of a friendship can be measured by the amount of love, loyalty, encouragement, and comfort poured into it by its participants. The book of Proverbs declares: "A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity" (17:17) and "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (18:24).
When Jesus went to Jerusalem, He often stayed with His three friends in Bethany, which was within walking distance of the city. There He felt welcome and comfortable as He and Lazarus talked while Mary hovered nearby. Mary especially proved herself a faithful friend through her single-minded devotion to Him. How Jesus must have smiled as her sister Martha scurried about preparing the meals, caught up in her ceaseless activity. Martha was probably the oldest sibling since the home belonged to her. Unfortunately, she tended to complain, and "Poor me!" was a frequent exclamation. But not much is told of the brother Lazarus until tragedy struck the household.
Delay or Deliverance?
Lazarus became deathly ill, and his two sisters sent for Jesus. Knowing that Jesus had healed many people, they were confident that He would heal His friend. They sent a frantic message urging Jesus to come quickly. But Jesus did not rush to Bethany as soon as He received the message. He assured His disciples: "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it? (John 11:4). After waiting for two days, He informed His disciples that He was going to Judea. They tried to persuade Him not to make the trip because some Jews there had already tried to stone Him. They feared for His life if He ventured too close to Jerusalem. Nevertheless, they were committed to following Jesus even if it meant their death.

When Jesus announced that He was going to wake Lazarus up, His disciples thought His friend would be well. Finally Jesus had to tell them that Lazarus had died. By the time the group arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. The Jews believed that the spirit of the dead hovered over the body for three days and then left, leaving no hope of recovery. Mourning Jews had come over from Jerusalem to comfort Mary and Martha. When the sisters heard that Jesus had arrived, Martha went out to meet Him. Jesus assured her that Lazarus would rise again, and she assumed that he meant the resurrection on the last day. In response to His announcement that He was the resurrection and the life, she acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.
Martha told Mary that Jesus was looking for her. Mary quickly went to Him and fell at Jesus' feet. In her grief she cried mournfully, "Lord, if you had only been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:32). Deeply moved, Jesus wept. As they neared the tomb, Jesus instructed the onlookers to take away the stone. Martha was horrified, for she knew that a decaying body gives off a terrible smell. But Jesus reminded them, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (11:40). After thanking His Father, Jesus commanded Lazarus to come forth. The young man walked out of the tomb healthy and whole. As a result of Lazarus' resurrection, many Jews believed that Jesus was the Messiah.
A Broken Vessel
Jesus was on His way to the Passover in Jerusalem when He stopped at Bethany. His friends were giving a dinner in His honor, and Martha was serving as usual. While Lazarus and Jesus reclined on the couch talking, Mary quietly slipped out of the room. No one noticed her as she returned holding an alabaster jar. She approached Jesus and sat at His feet. Everyone noticed, however, as she broke the jar of perfume. The house was filled with its potent fragrance as she anointed Jesus. Mary began to weep, washing His feet with her tears. Without thinking, she let down her long hair and began to wipe her Lord's feet. She poured out more of the expensive perfume and tenderly kissed the feet of Jesus.
The dinner guests were aghast! How could Jesus allow this to happen? This woman was a sinner! She should not even touch Him, much less wipe His feet with her hair. Besides, a pint of pure nard was worth at least a year's wages. Judas was especially incensed! He insisted that the perfume should have been donated by Mary and the proceeds given to the poor. But his interest was strictly monetary; for Judas, as keeper of the money bag, was pilfering its funds.
Then Jesus rebuked Mary's detractors, "You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell, you, her many sins have been forgiven -- for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little" (Luke 7:46-47). Jesus reminded them that Mary had begun to prepare His body for burial.
The breaking of the alabaster jar was symbolic of Mary's devotion to Jesus. She was a broken vessel whose contents had spilled out, washing over the lives of others. The fragrance of her gift continues to waft down through the generations, for Jesus said of Mary, "I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her" (Mark 14:9).
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: Mary's strength was her intense desire to know Jesus. She was able to let go of worldly cares as she concentrated on eternal things. Her demeanor was calm and peaceful. Mary's insight and wisdom were demonstrated in her recognition of Jesus as the Messiah.
Weaknesses: Those people who believe themselves saved by works perceive Mary as lazy, for they cannot fathom sitting quietly before the Lord "doing" nothing.
Key Scripture: "Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42).
Time invested in worship -- in getting to know the Lord -- can never be taken away. Mary's sensitivity to the shortness of time with Jesus should have been emulated by Martha (and by Christians today).
Key Thought: Mary, disregarding her present and future financial loss, lavished her two most prized possessions ? her time and her inheritance -- on Jesus.
Philosophy of Life
Jesus pointed out Mary's philosophy when He declared, "Mary has chosen what is better" (Luke 10:42). Surely she realized the importance of being a disciple who sat at the feet of the Master. Her priorities were in order, for she never let the cares of life interfere with her devotion to the Lord. People were more important than things, and "being" more important than "doing." Mary truly knew how to savor every moment.
Comparison
Both Mary and her sister Martha loved Jesus deeply, and each had a great concern for their brother Lazarus. But apart from that, the two sisters were extremely different. Martha was industrious, perhaps feeling that her self-worth was derived from her works. As she bustled about cooking, cleaning, and preparing every little detail, Martha assured her guests that she had done everything possible to make them comfortable. Mary was also hospitable and diligent in preparing for guests, but she knew how to relax and enjoy them. Martha became distracted and complained, while Mary concentrated on making her guests comfortable.
The difference between the two sisters is the difference between a "convert" and a "disciple." A convert is one who has turned from sin and accepted Christ, while a disciple is a growing convert who continues in the faith at the feet of the Master. Martha was a convert; Mary was a true disciple.
The Grand Design
Mary's true-blue thread, which symbolizes her loyalty, is intertwined with Jesus' other faithful disciples who supported Him in His earthly ministry. She was one of the few who quickly recognized Jesus as the true Messiah.
Key Concepts:
1. Mary's village of Bethany was close to the great city of ________________. [182]
2. The home of Mary and Martha probably belonged to (Martha, Mary). [182]
3. True or False. Although both sisters toiled equally, only Martha could not let go of the pressure. [183]
4. Martha's service drew her (toward, away from) the Lord. [184]
5. _______________, the brother of Mary and Martha, was raised from the dead by Jesus. [186]

6. The atmosphere was tense because Jesus was soon to die at the hands of the ____________. [187]

7. Judas? complaint was that the money could have been given to the (disciples, poor). [187]

8. The perfume may have represented Mary's _______________ or her life's savings. [188]

9. True or False. Jesus agreed with the bystanders who criticized Mary for her extravagant monetary waste. [188]

10. True or False. Mary was one of the very few people who ministered to Jesus in a tangible way. [189]

Further Study: Read "Mary," NIDB, pp. 627-28.
Life Application: Mary's heart overflowed with thanksgiving as she lavished her precious oil on Jesus. She recalled her salvation from a life of sin and His acceptance of her. As evidence of her grateful heart, Mary gave up her most prized possession. What is your greatest possession? Your home? A family heirloom? Your boat? Are you able to surrender it to the Lord if He asks? If you can, you will be like Mary exchanging a temporal possession for an eternal treasure.