115.John 12:1-3-Different Ministries of the Sisters
Different Ministries of the Sisters
John 12:1–3
Gospel of John 12:1–3
¹ Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had died, whom He had raised from the dead. ² There they made Him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with Him at the table. ³ Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of pure nard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
There was very little time left before the terrible events. Only six days remained before the Passover. Jesus was already moving toward His suffering, and this supper in Bethany takes place against the backdrop of the approaching cross, even though the scene itself appears calm and domestic.
Once again, we find ourselves in the home of Martha and Mary. Both sisters serve Jesus—they prepared a meal for Him. Their service is sincere and unpretentious. This is the home of people who love Christ and are glad to have Him with them.
In practical service, Martha is more prominently mentioned. John states simply and clearly: “Martha served.” She acts, cares, and provides order and hospitality. This is an important and necessary ministry, without which the gathering itself might not have taken place.
In the theme of gratitude and worship, Mary stands out more clearly. She pours a pound (about 327 grams) of pure, costly nard on Jesus’ feet. For this kind of oil, it is a very large amount and an extremely high value—about 300 denarii, roughly a year’s wages.
Mary anoints the feet of Jesus and wipes them with her hair. This is not merely an act of generosity, but a profound expression of humility and personal devotion. The other Gospels also mention that Jesus’ head was anointed, emphasizing the fullness and significance of her act.
The house is filled with fragrance. John deliberately highlights this detail. Such a concentration of aroma could linger for several days and may have accompanied Jesus right up to the beginning of His suffering. Mary’s worship does not remain private—everyone in the house is affected by it.
The sisters carry different ministries, which is characteristic of sincere believers. The diversity of people and ministries in Christ is emphasized by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:12–27, where he teaches that we are different members of one Body, meant to complement one another.
In a moment of crisis, Martha acts with particular clarity. In John 11, she demonstrates faith in a situation that seems completely hopeless. She speaks, reasons, struggles, and remains faithful—even without fully understanding everything.
In a moment of gratitude and worship, Mary is revealed more strongly. She is not only the one who once sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him while her sister was busy with household tasks. It is Mary who, at the right moment, shows sacrificial love and a deep gesture of humility before Christ.
Lazarus is not an unnecessary character in this scene. He does almost nothing, yet his presence is crucial as a witness to the miracle. A man who should have been dead is sitting at the table with Jesus. More about this will be discussed in John 12:9–11.
Do not try to copy someone else. Develop a personal relationship with God, and He will show you how you can serve Jesus. At different seasons of life, God brings different people to the forefront—but He values the faithfulness of each one.