One religious leader has been assumed to have said: “Had I lived in Palestine, in the day of Jesus of Nazareth, I would have washed his feet, not with my tears, but with my heart’s blood.” However, Lord Jesus did neither demand any human blood sacrifice, nor washing of his feet, in fact he washed disciples’ feet. Mary who lived in Palestine gives us insight how to relate with Lord Jesus Christ. Gospel records provide us three occasions that are instructive.
1) Learn: Mary sat at the feet of Lord Jesus Christ when he visited her home. She was a sole student when her sister was busy with other things. (Luke 10:39) The word disciple itself means to be a student. Lord invited heavily laden, guilt-ridden people to come to Him, receive rest and learn from him. (Matthew 11:28) Learning is heart attitude and intellectual comprehension.
2) Worship: Mary fell at his feet in surrender and worship. (John 11:32) Mary had lost her brother, was in grief. Yet, she came to surrender and worship. Truth is that worship is not dependent on our circumstances. Worship is homage, adoration, praise and adulation to Him who is Worthy of all worship. Job had the spiritual maturity and perception to worship God, when he lost all earthly possession including his ten children. (Job 1:20)
3) Express extravagant gratitude: Mary anointed Lord Jesus’ feet with an expensive perfume giving him honour, expressing gratitude. (John 12:3) Judas estimated that to be three hundred denarii (one-year wage of an average income person) which would be productively used for helping poor. (John 12:4,5) Lord defended Mary and accepted it as mark of his burial. Yes, that was an offering of faith anticipating death, burial, and resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalmist writes: “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Psalms 2:12) Mary did exactly that.
Do I come to His feet to learn, worship, and pour myself as sacrifice?