Like all Christians, you know the story of Mary washing the feet of Jesus. It is a heartwarming depiction of Mary’s love for Jesus. She is a role model for us, and highly regarded by many Christians, the world over.
This is a very familiar story to me and undoubtedly, to you too. I understood that yes, Mary loved Jesus and yes, she wanted to show her love for Jesus. But this time when I read it, it struck me anew. There was much more about Mary’s actions beckoning to be unraveled. Mary undertook risk, judgement, and criticism as she professed her love for Jesus.
She risked being criticized by others for performing an act that was deemed inappropriate and wasteful.
She gave an elaborate monetary offering through the pouring out of expensive perfume lavishly on Jesus’ feet, possibly expending all her savings and leaving her financially exposed.
She risked the judgement of others as she unwound her hair in front of Jesus and his disciples – an act which in that day and age was only done in private.
She displayed a love for Jesus beyond the present and real concerns of her world, that should have made her take pause. Mary loved Jesus with a sacrificial love and gave Jesus her everything, in every way in that moment.
I wonder, do you think Mary was aware of all these things as she performed this act of worship and love? Do you think her heart was racing with anxiety as all eyes turned to her in pin drop silence? Do you think she heard the critical words spoken by the disciples? Or do you think that her tender heart was at peace, and she could only see and hear Jesus? I wonder….
She obeyed Jesus’ command of a humble servant heart. In great humility taking on the role of the lowest servant stature and washing the feet of Jesus. Don’t you just know Jesus saw the heart of Mary in her great outpouring of love? Don’t you think, he was moved with joy by her elaborate offering?
The depth of her love for Jesus seems beyond what I can understand today. But I do know that I want a heart like Mary, for Jesus. I want to be able to fall before Him unhindered and in love with Him. I want to unashamedly let down “my hair” (my inequities, my pride, my cares, my being). I want to be completely raw and exposed before Him. I do not want to protect myself before the eyes of others. I want to see only Jesus, not the spectators who judge and admonish. I want to be blinded by love, just like Mary.
I have a new appreciation and depth of understanding of what Mary did and I hope that you might too.
We can love Jesus, but I believe Jesus wants us to fall in love with Him, through complete surrender and that is what Mary demonstrated for us. This is what it means to fall in love with Jesus.
What’s even more beautiful is that we love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Jesus shapes and forms our heart to love him. We only need to stand open and ready to receive, it can be a beautiful transformation and Mary is proof of that.
You may be asking yourself, what does it mean to love Jesus? How do we show Jesus our love for Him today? The word of God never leaves us guessing. We see an answer in John 14:15, 14:21, 14:23, and 14:24, repeatedly Jesus tells his disciples, if they love Him, they will obey His commands. What are the commands that Jesus shared with His disciples?
He commanded them to love one another as He loved us – John 13:34.
He commanded them to serve with a humble heart – John 13:14-15.
He commanded them to not let their hearts be troubled – John 14:1.
Love, humble service and, faith. That is how we love Jesus.
All of which He has made possible through the gift of the Holy Spirit within us. Jesus has given us everything we need to love Him, just like Mary loved Him.
Dear Jesus, we love you, but we ask that you continue to grow our love for you. Help us to fully surrender to the Spirit within us and unashamedly pour out all of ourselves as we follow your commands. In the beautiful name of Jesus, we pray. Amen