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| Mary of Bethany |
Among the many figures in the Gospels, few embody heartfelt devotion and spiritual insight like Mary of Bethany. Sister to Martha and Lazarus, Mary’s story unfolds in quiet moments of worship, grief, and revelation. Her life offers a window into loving Christ deeply—not through public ministry or grand declarations, but through humble acts of faith. Across the Gospel accounts, Mary emerges as a model disciple whose posture of listening, learning, and worship continues to inspire believers today.
Bethany: A Home of Friendship and Faith
Bethany, a small village east of Jerusalem, was a place of refuge for Jesus during His ministry. There, He found friendship and hospitality in the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. The Gospels portray this household as one of warmth and faith, where Jesus was welcomed not merely as a guest but as a beloved friend.
Mary’s character is revealed through three key encounters: her time at Jesus’ feet in Luke 10, her grief and faith at Lazarus’s tomb in John 11, and her act of anointing Jesus in John 12. Each moment captures a dimension of her devotion—listening, believing, and worshiping—together forming a portrait of a woman whose heart was wholly attuned to Christ.
Sitting at the Feet of Jesus
Mary first appears in Luke 10:38–42. While Martha focuses on hospitality, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to His teaching. In that cultural context, sitting at a teacher’s feet was the posture of a disciple—a role typically reserved for men. Yet Mary chooses it without hesitation, drawn by spiritual hunger.
When Martha expresses frustration, Jesus gently defends Mary’s choice: “Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” His response affirms that devotion and discipleship transcend cultural norms. Mary’s priority is clear: Christ’s presence above all else.
This scene also illustrates the tension between service and stillness. Martha’s service wasn’t wrong, but Mary’s attentiveness was the “better part.” Her example reminds believers that spiritual fruitfulness begins with intimacy. Before one can serve well, one must first sit and listen.
Faith in the Face of Loss
The second episode unfolds in John 11, amid the death of Mary’s brother Lazarus. When he falls ill, the sisters send word to Jesus, confident in His healing power. Yet Jesus delays, and Lazarus dies. By the time He arrives, the household is steeped in grief.
Martha meets Jesus first, expressing both sorrow and faith: “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” When Mary arrives, she echoes the same words but falls at His feet, weeping. Her grief is deep, yet her trust remains. She brings her pain directly to Jesus, believing He still holds power even in the face of death.
Moved by her sorrow and the mourning around Him, Jesus weeps—a moment that reflects both His compassion and shared humanity. Then He performs one of His most powerful miracles: calling Lazarus out of the tomb. This not only restores Mary’s brother but deepens her faith. Through her sorrow, she comes to see Jesus as “the resurrection and the life.” Her belief, tested by loss, is transformed into deeper understanding.
The Anointing at Bethany
The final and most striking scene takes place in John 12. During a supper in Jesus’ honor, Mary takes a pound of expensive spikenard perfume, anoints His feet, and wipes them with her hair. The fragrance fills the room—an act of love and sacrifice that cannot be ignored.
The perfume, worth nearly a year’s wages, represents a costly offering. By pouring it out, Mary shows that nothing is too valuable to give to Christ. Her gesture is not calculated—it is pure worship. When Judas criticizes her, Jesus defends her once more: “Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.”
Whether she fully understood or not, Mary’s act carried prophetic meaning. Her anointing foreshadowed Jesus’ death and burial. Once again, she is found at His feet—this time not listening or weeping, but honoring. Her devotion encompasses every part of her being: emotional, spiritual, and material. It is love without restraint.
Lessons from Mary of Bethany
Mary’s story offers enduring lessons. She shows that true discipleship begins with listening. In a world that values productivity and noise, her example calls believers to slow down and sit in Christ’s presence.
Her response to loss reminds us that faith does not eliminate sorrow but gives it direction. Mary doesn’t hide her pain; she brings it to Jesus. In doing so, she meets a Savior who is both fully divine and deeply compassionate.
And her act of anointing reveals the essence of worship—costly, sincere, and unconcerned with appearances. Mary’s devotion challenges us to consider what we hold back and what we are willing to pour out in love for Christ.
A Legacy of Love and Listening
Mary of Bethany is remembered not for public deeds or words but for her quiet, unwavering presence at Jesus’ feet. In every scene, she is found there—listening, weeping, or worshiping. That posture defines her life and her faith.
Her legacy endures as a testimony that the truest expressions of devotion are not always loud or seen but are deeply felt and consistently lived. Through Mary, the Gospels remind us that being close to Jesus doesn’t require position, platform, or prominence—it simply requires love.
