When Mary decided to give up her hope of ever marrying, she gave her most valued possession- the anointing perfume. She poured out her love on the One who had raised Lazarus to life. This one act allowed Jesus to remember why He chose to endure the cross – for the joy set before Him. The aroma of being anointed as King hung in the air as the cruelty against the Messiah ensued. Lord, You are the epitome of great. – Teresa #allthingsnew

John 12:1-8 (ESV)

12 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[b] 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[c] 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[d] for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”