The Memorial of Mary: Portrait of Repentance

This article is not about Mary who birthed Jesus. It is about Lazarus’ sister. Jesus said that a memorial would be remembered of her wherever the gospel was preached in the world.

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. ~Mark 14:9 KJV

(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) ~John 11:2 KJV

The Scene

Simon the leper, who was a Pharisee and the father of Judas Iscariot, wanted Jesus to come and eat with him. So Jesus went into his house and sat down to eat.

At the same time, Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary prepared the meal because Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

Lazarus, Simon, Judas, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were at the table with Jesus, and Martha served. Then, Mary came to Jesus with an alabaster box of ointment to anoint Him and to thank Him.

Mary wept on his feet, dried them with her hair, and kissed them with heart-felt repentance. However, Judas murmured against her because he was a thief and felt she wasted expensive perfume. Additionally, Simon thought that if Jesus was a prophet, He would have known she was a sinner.

The Setting

• Simon’s house in Bethany

The People:

• Simon the Leper and Pharisee
• Judas the thief and Simon’s son
• Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead
• Mary and Martha sisters of Lazarus
• Matthew
• Mark
• Luke
• John
• Jesus

Matthew’s Account:

[6] Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, [7] There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat . [8] But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, “To what purpose is this waste? [9] For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.” [10] When Jesus understood it , He said unto them, “Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon Me. [11] For ye have the poor always with you; but Me ye have not always. [12] For in that she hath poured this ointment on My body, she did it for My burial. [13] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.” ~Matthew 26:6-13 KJV

Mark’s Account:

[3] And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on His head. [4] And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, “Why was this waste of the ointment made? [5] For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor.” And they murmured against her. [6] And Jesus said, “Let her alone; why trouble ye her? She hath wrought a good work on Me. [7] For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but Me ye have not always. [8] She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. [9] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” ~Mark 14:3-9 KJV

Luke’s Account:

[36] And one of the Pharisees desired Him that He would eat with him. And He went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. [37] And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, [38] And stood at His feet behind Him weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment. [39] Now when the Pharisee which had bidden Him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, “This man, if He were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him: for she is a sinner.” [40] And Jesus answering said unto him, “Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, “Master, say on.” [41] “There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. [42] And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?” [43] Simon answered and said, “I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.” And He said unto him, “Thou hast rightly judged.” [44] And He turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, “Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. [45] Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. [46] My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. [47] Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” [48] And He said unto her, “Thy sins are forgiven.” [49] And they that sat at meat with Him began to say within themselves, “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?” [50] And He said to the woman, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” ~Luke 7:36-50 KJV

John’s Account:

[1] Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom He raised from the dead. [2] There they made Him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him. [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 odour of the ointment. [4] Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray Him, [5] “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” [6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. [7] Then said Jesus, “Let her alone: against the day of My burying hath she kept this.” ~John 12:1-7 KJV

Mary’s great repentance is outstanding in the midst of those who saw her as unworthy.

Furthermore, we see that she continues to remain attentive to Jesus.

[38] Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word. [40] But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.” [41] And Jesus answered and said unto her, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: [42] But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” ~Luke 10:38-42 KJV

Lazarus’ sister Mary had great faith, great repentance, and great attentiveness—even in the midst of those who looked down on her. This is why her memoir is a memorial and an outstanding example that supports the message of the gospel. Cite this article: Please update the Accessed or Retrieved date (September 13, 2015).