5 Ways to Follow Mary of Bethany's Example of Devotion to Jesus
Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, has been upheld as an icon of devotion through the centuries.
We remember her as the one who wanted to listen to Jesus instead of helping her sister in the kitchen. I have to admit I am more like Martha sometimes. Not that I don’t want to be more like Mary, but there are occasions I have let my mind pull me in other directions.
Mary’s unashamed anointing of Jesus’ feet and her undivided attention are examples we can all follow. Wouldn’t we all like to be this dedicated to the One who saved us? What made Mary different from her sister and the disciples who were also present as Jesus taught?
Here are 5 ways we can follow Mary’s example of devotion to Jesus.
1. Mary Knew How Much Jesus Loved Her
Mary couldn’t have shown such adoration to Jesus if she didn’t grasp how much He loved her. We can sometimes parrot words such as John 3:16 without living in the realization that our Savior loved us all the way to the tomb.
Living in condemnation and guilt nullifies our concept of His unselfish act to die on the cross. He wiped away our sins once and for all. The guilt that accompanied sin died too. Mary was a model to her siblings and the disciples of the intensity of Jesus’ affection for us. She couldn’t have reflected this precious gift from her Master if her heart didn’t overflow with gratitude to Him.
John is the only apostle who seemed to comprehend the extent of Jesus' endearment in the same way Mary did while the Savior was with them. After the resurrection, they did get it and they lived in the revelation of Christ’s compassion to the point of martyrdom. This love compelled them to various parts of the world preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Tradition says John is the only one who didn't die a violent death, but the Roman Emperor Domitian did try. John was boiled in oil but refused to die and was later exiled to the island of Patmos.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NIV)
2. Mary Hungered
While Martha prepared physical food, Mary hungered for the words of God. She ignored a physical need to satisfy a spiritual hunger. Mary chose listening to Jesus over immediate domestic work.
This doesn’t mean we neglect our duties, but our duties shouldn’t supersede time with Him. Our chores will always be there. Listening to the Holy Spirit can help us manage our time and work better than if we try to organize our schedules on our own (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Mary's decision to sit at her Master's feet and listen reflects how she must have been able to absorb Jesus’ words and apply them to her life (Matthew 6:33).
Growing in hunger for the Lord requires us to admit we are helpless on our own (John 15:4). All our talents, abilities, and efforts can’t draw us closer to Him. If all we live for are our works, we have nothing (1 Corinthians 3:15).
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35).
3. Mary Valued Jesus’ Deity
Mary placed a high value on Jesus. Mary and her sister saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. They knew He was the Son of God. Other people saw the same miracle and still refused to believe and even wanted to kill Jesus and also Lazarus, who was a reminder of Christ’s miracle (John 12:9-11).
We can know Jesus is God but may still doubt His power to perform miracles as He did when He walked the earth. As we see Him as the Son of Man who came to identify with us as humans, we can’t neglect the dominion of His deity to be the Lord of our lives.
Our doubt can limit what the Spirit can do for us. This is what happened to the Israelites in the wilderness. Even after the miraculous rescue He gave them, they grumbled every time they had a need instead of focusing on the intensity of God's ability to provide for them.
But the Lord said to Moses, "Don't limit my power! You will see that I can do what I say I can do" (Numbers 11:23 ERV).
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Christin Lola
4. Mary Accepted His Forgiveness
We have all sinned, but living in forgiveness requires us to personally accept this gift. While Mary is not the same woman who also anointed Jesus with expensive perfume who is referred to as a sinful woman, Mary’s actions reveal that she knew God’s mercy. We don’t have to live a pagan or profane lifestyle to need a new spiritual birth. Mary knew the Lord’s grace. We are all born as sinners (Romans 6:23).
Jesus’ words to Simon after the sinful woman’s actions can apply to everyone. “But whoever has been forgiven little loves little,” (Luke 7:47b NIV). Realizing we need the Lord’s pardon as much as the most heinous sinner we can think of requires us to turn from self-righteousness.
The Pharisees were guilty of thinking they were better than the ordinary people because of their position and accomplishments. The Son of God told them their sin remained because they thought they didn’t have a need to repent (John 9:40-41).
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6 NIV).
5. Mary Humbled Herself
We can only be this affectionate to Jesus when we turn from self-righteousness (as mentioned above). If our focus is on our works and what we think we do for God, we place a barrier between us and our King. Only when we cast aside our pride can Christ be magnified in us (James 4:10).
Mary and her siblings knew Jesus was the Savior, but Mary seemed to elevate that knowledge to the point of giving Jesus all she had. She poured an expensive oil on his feet and used her hair as a towel (John 12:3). For a woman to expose her hair in this way was unheard of in those days. Jesus meant more to her than the opinions of others.
Some in the room criticized her actions, but Jesus commended her. She probably didn’t understand the prophetic reasons for what she did. She only wanted to give the King the best gift she had. She was willing to forgo her reputation to magnify Christ.
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10).
The Privilege of Being a Believer
Many of us may have set goals or are determined to follow new resolutions this year. According to statistics, the majority of the population has already given up.
But time with God shouldn't be something to be checked off on a list. Sitting at Jesus' feet like Mary did is a privilege the Lord gives to us. The knowledge that the Creator of the universe dwells within us as believers is a staggering realization.
When we think about the greatness of our Sovereign and His unlimited power, how can we desire anything less than to seek to know Him on a deeper level (Colossians 1:9-10)?
To surrender our heart to Christ will be the fragrance that wafts to the Father's nostrils like Mary's gift of perfume. We can anoint Him with our devotion too.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10 NIV).
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/carlosphotos
Originally published January 31, 2025.
