A Woman Who Spends Her Time, Her Sexuality, and Her Money... and a Man Who is Offended

"Leave her alone," Jesus said when His friend, Mary, was criticised for her act of love towards Him. In John 12.1-8 we encounter a story of Jesus sharing a final meal with His friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary, days before His journey to the cross. Mary prophetically anoints His body with a highly expensive perfume (and a lot of it), and takes down her hair to dry His feet. As the fragrance fills the house and sinks into her hair, and His, we see her marking a moment of anguish and deep sorrow with extravagant love. Jesus' ultimate sacrifice is preempted as beautiful. As we watch this scene we are invited to consider how we will spend our time, beauty and riches? Are we prepared to let our lives look wasteful to others?  

Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 6 April 2025.