Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ² So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. ³ Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. ⁴ But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ⁵ “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” ⁶ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. ⁷ Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. ⁸ For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

John 12:1-8 ESV

This Sunday is Palm Sunday. The day that Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem less than a week before His crucifixion. I was going to focus this blog around that part of scripture, but I did that last year, and after reading the full chapter that story is in, I could not help but be drawn to the passage just before it.

Just 6 days before the start of this beautiful week we know as Passion week, there was a woman who you may remember from her previous cameo in the Bible. Her name was Mary, the sister of Martha. The same woman who left her sister to clean the house and serve the guests while she sat at the feet of Jesus, listening intently to all that He had to share. If you recall, after Martha’s aggravated blow up, Jesus said that Mary was the one who chose what is better. She chose Jesus.

And as you read the story at the top of this blog, you will see her heart has not changed. As she was given the opportunity to sit with Christ again, she not only gave Him her attention, but her most expensive ointment as well. If you have ever bought perfume or cologne, I am sure you are aware of the prices. They are not cheap, and if you ever had to use it all on someones FEET of all things, you would feel some pain in your heart, or at least I would. But such was not the case for Mary. She willingly poured out her rich ointment and cleansed the feet of Jesus. Wow. What a beautiful picture of humility. Why did she do this? Well, I can assure you it wasn’t something she did for just anyone. It’s because she knew who Jesus was. Just like she put Him above all things when He came to her home before, she did not hesitate to do it again. And just like last time, Jesus did not hesitate to defend her as she was criticized by others.

Far too often, we get caught up in what the world tells us our attention needs to be on. Overwhelming ourselves with keeping this perfect life, job, gpa, relationship, etc. when that is not at all what Jesus tells us to make our priority. Instead, through the actions of Mary, we see how He longs simply for our humble hearts. For a hunger to serve and seek Him first, regardless of what is going on in our lives.

The other day, I mentioned to someone at church that I have to “prepare for passion week” and they asked “how do you prepare?”. And I am not going to lie, I didn’t exactly know how I was to answer that. Last year, I remember doing devotions and stuff that got my heart so excited as Easter came closer and closer. But this year was different. I honestly didn’t realize Palm Sunday was this Sunday until a few days ago. With college and work, the time seemed to have flown by and I realize that it is a little late to start a 30 day devotional before Easter.

So on my drive back home I thought about what I can do now. How in the world was I going to cram in enough Bible studies and sermons to make me as excited as last year? I didn’t quite figure that one out, but as I read this passage I realized how bad it was that I only prepared when there was a special occasion like Easter. It was as if Jesus only mattered when His birthday or death day was coming near. My heart was crushed, but at the same time, filled with joy and gratitude.

It was crushed because of the way I neglected the Holy Spirit who lived in my heart everyday, yet filled as I realized I get the blessing of God’s presence in every second of my life. What better way to come to Jesus as a humble servant, resembling Mary, than to serve others, dedicate time to growing with God, and striving to be a little more Christ-like every day. (again, this is why it is critical to learn about WHO Jesus actually is. You can’t be like someone you don’t know.)

I may not have the time to finish a 30 day devotional before Easter, but I most certainly have time to spend with God and to act in love and humility as I encounter hundreds of people within the next two weeks or so.

Something I have come to notice lately, and I am sure you can tell by my recent blogs, is that humility and joy are not always easy decisions to make, but they are biblical and necessary. So as you “prepare” for passion week, or shall I say for eternity, because our hearts should be in a constant pursuit towards the Lord, I hope you can be encouraged to realize this is not a competition of who has a greater fire in their soul as Easter comes near, rather, how we as the body of Christ can live for what He died for.

Something I found quite mesmerizing was how Mary never said anything to Martha when she told Jesus to discipline her. And when Judas criticized her for using the rich ointment on Jesus’ feet, she again let the Lord speak in her place. How amazing. When we put God first, ignoring the judgement of the world, He will defend us.

So as you seek a humble heart, don’t let that just be towards God, but towards all whom may have good or bad things to say about you. And as you spend this Sunday singing “Hosanna! Hosanna in the Highest”, truly aim to live that out. We get the privilege of having God reside in us. Don’t wait to praise, serve, and love Him. He’s already made a home in your heart.