As graduation approaches, getting closer and closer every day, the question that seems to overshadow every thought gets stronger and stronger: So, what are you going to do after graduation? This is an intimidating question. Ever since I was a little girl I knew that I would finish high school, go to Bible College, and then go into whatever ministry God had for me. Well, high school came and went, college has just about come and gone, and now…

I know that God has placed a specific call on Justin’s and my heart, but I am scared at the implications of this call. However, God in His infinite grace knew I needed some strengthening of heart. He sent me to Brother Taylor's Homiletics II class, where we were assigned a passage from the Gospel of John. My passage was John 12:1-9, Mary anointing Jesus' feet. Studying this passage has been a gift to help me when "my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak." This passage has challenged me and encouraged me, and I hope it will do the same for you.

It is easy to read the story of Mary anointing Jesus and breeze right though it. With no thought of the reason, the price, or the significance of Mary's actions, it becomes just another story. If this were just another story, Jesus never would have commanded that it be "spoken of" wherever the Gospel is preached.

Mary had just gone through one of the most traumatic times in her life. She had to watch her beloved brother suffer through his sickness. She had to watch him as he wasted away to nothing. She had to watch as they put him in the tomb. The stone sealed his end. Grief and disappointment gripped her heart as she and Martha made the never ending journey home. Never again would Lazarus recline at the table with them; never again would they enjoy each other's company. It was finished. Wave after wave of sorrow overwhelmed her heart. Why, oh why, had the Master not come?

But, He did come. Sorrow gave way to joy as the Creator

of the universe said, "Lazarus come forth." Jesus brought Mary's brother back to life. Even when Mary didn’t believe He could, He did. Now, every time she looked at Lazarus, her heart was filled with gratitude. Every time she heard her brother's voice, she remembered what her Master had done for her. Oh, how she longed to do something to show that she believed He truly was the Son of God. Purposing in her heart to show him, she waited for the perfect opportunity.

Six days before the Passover, Simon the Leper gave a dinner in honor of Jesus. While Martha was serving and Lazarus was reclining, Mary broke her alabaster box of pure nard, poured it on Jesus' feet, let her hair down, and wiped His feet with her hair. Seemingly oblivious to the disgusted expressions of those attending the meal, Mary gave her all.

She risked her future, for the perfume was most likely her dowry (without a dowry, she had no guarantee of marriage). She risked her reputation, for no proper woman in that day ever let her hair down in public (a woman's hair was her glory reserved for her husband!). She risked it all, but she trusted in Jesus. She trusted that He would not reject or scorn her. She trusted that He would see this as an ultimate act of love–and He did.

The price of Mary's demonstration of love was great and so was the outcome. It was the fragrance of Mary's perfume that He smelled as He rode in as a triumphant king. It was her perfume He smelled as He was betrayed. It was her perfume He smelled as He was denied. It was her perfume He smelled as He was whipped and mocked. Her perfume reminded Him that He was greatly loved.

The call that God has placed on our lives, like any call God gives, requires sacrifice. We feel God has called us to go overseas to spread His Gospel. I am excited about the call but worried about the implications. I know that when we go, things will never be the same. I love my family, and it is going to be hard to let go of them. I know how it feels to lose someone you love, and so my family is very dear to me. But I know that I can trust God with the outcome! I, too, want to show my Master that I love Him!

Mary was blinded to all the reasons not to demonstrate her love by what Jesus had done for her. Mary's response to the Christ is our example. She laid down her glory for His glory. Are we willing to do the same?