August 12

John 12:3
“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment” — John 12:33Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. (John 12:3).
THE highest exercise of which the human spirit, touched by divine grace and regenerated by omnipotent power, is capable is that of worship, which involves adoration, praise, and implicit devotion. Men may attempt to exalt love of mankind above love to God. But actually the second table of the law finds its basis in the first. He who loves God supremely will love his neighbor unselfishly. The breaking of the alabaster box released the pungent spikenard whose ravishing odor filled all the house. When the best is lavished on the Lord Jesus, forces are freed which make fragrant every department of human life.
The natural heart cannot understand the apparent prodigality of love for Christ. It was Judas who began complaining and so infected the other disciples with the same spirit of faultfinding (John 12:44Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, (John 12:4)). But the Lord Jesus understood the love that prompted Mary’s act and He valued it accordingly. He delights in a heart wholly devoted to Himself.
“Lord, as we bless Thee for Thy love
So world-embracing! —So divine!
May our hearts burn within us, till
The fire within shall burn and shine,
Consuming all the dross of self,
All thought of ease: all lesser love;
Until on earth we do Thy will
E’en as the seraphs do above.”
—Margaret E. Barber.