How does Mary's use of "pure nard" symbolize giving our best to God? Scripture Focus – John 12:3 “Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” Understanding Pure Nard • Derived from the spikenard plant native to the Himalayas—imported, rare, and costly • Often sealed in alabaster jars; one jar was worth nearly a year’s wages (Mark 14:5) • Described as “pure” (Greek: pistikēs) meaning genuine, unadulterated, top quality Symbol of Extravagant Worship • Pure nard’s high value showed Mary withheld nothing—she offered the finest she possessed • She broke the jar (Mark 14:3), making it unusable afterward—an irreversible act of devotion • The fragrance filling the house pictured worship that blesses everyone present • By anointing Jesus’ feet (the lowliest place), she combined costly offering with humble service Giving Our Best to God – Key Lessons • Sacrifice: Authentic worship costs something (2 Samuel 24:24) • Wholeheartedness: “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your harvest” (Proverbs 3:9) • Timeliness: Mary anointed Jesus “in advance of My burial” (Mark 14:8); give while we can, not merely later • Personal devotion: Love motivates generous giving far beyond duty (2 Corinthians 5:14) • Witness: Her act is still proclaimed wherever the gospel is preached (Matthew 26:13), showing God values devoted hearts Supporting Scriptures • Romans 12:1 — “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual service of worship.” • Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” • Philippians 3:7–8 — Paul counts all things loss “because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Practical Applications Today • Time: Setting aside unhurried, quality time with the Lord, not leftover minutes • Talents: Offering our strongest skills for kingdom service rather than reserving them solely for personal gain • Finances: Prioritizing generous, cheerful giving before discretionary spending • Affections: Guarding heart and mind so Christ receives first love over careers, hobbies, or possessions • Testimony: Allowing the “fragrance” of Christlike generosity to permeate homes, workplaces, and churches through consistent, joyful sacrifice |
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