Topical Bible: Love: Love for Jesus: Mary

◄ Love: Love for Jesus: Mary ►

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Mary of Bethany, a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, is a profound biblical example of love for Jesus. Her actions and interactions with Jesus are recorded in the Gospels, providing insight into her deep affection and reverence for Him.

Mary's Devotion and Worship

Mary's love for Jesus is first highlighted in the Gospel of Luke, where she is depicted sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His teaching. Luke 10:39 states, "She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message." This posture of sitting at Jesus' feet signifies her humility, eagerness to learn, and her prioritization of spiritual matters over worldly concerns. Unlike her sister Martha, who was "distracted by all the preparations that had to be made" (Luke 10:40), Mary chose the "better part" (Luke 10:42), demonstrating her love and devotion to Jesus through her desire to be in His presence and absorb His teachings.

Anointing of Jesus

Mary's love for Jesus is further exemplified in the Gospel of John, where she anoints Jesus with expensive perfume. John 12:3 recounts, "Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." This act of anointing is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates Mary's willingness to give generously and sacrificially, as the perfume was of great value. Secondly, by wiping Jesus' feet with her hair, Mary displays an act of humility and deep personal devotion, breaking cultural norms to express her love for Him. Jesus Himself acknowledges the significance of her act, saying, "Leave her alone; she has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial" (John 12:7), indicating that Mary understood, perhaps more than others, the impending sacrifice Jesus was to make.

Mary's Faith and Understanding

Mary's actions reveal a profound understanding of Jesus' mission and identity. Her anointing of Jesus can be seen as an expression of her faith in Him as the Messiah and her recognition of His impending death and burial. This understanding sets her apart as a disciple who not only loves Jesus but also comprehends the depth of His purpose on earth.

Mary at the Tomb

Although not explicitly mentioned in the Gospel accounts of the resurrection, Mary's earlier actions and devotion suggest that she would have been among those who mourned deeply at Jesus' crucifixion and rejoiced at His resurrection. Her love for Jesus is characterized by a deep personal relationship, marked by worship, sacrifice, and understanding.

Mary of Bethany's love for Jesus serves as an enduring example of true devotion and faith. Her account encourages believers to prioritize their relationship with Christ, to worship Him with humility and sacrifice, and to seek a deeper understanding of His teachings and mission.

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Matthew 26:6-13
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
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John 12:3-8
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 odor of the ointment.
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Luke 10:39
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
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Library

The Defence of Uncalculating Love
... That is the unfailing recipe for making a life fair. Mary was thinking only of Jesus
and of her love to Him, therefore what she did was sweet to Him. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the defence of uncalculating love.htm

Love's Prodigality Censured and vindicated
... But these permanent duties do not preclude the opportunities for such special forms
of expressing special love to Jesus as Mary had shown, and as must soon end ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture i/loves prodigality censured and vindicated.htm

Love and Life.
... LOVE AND LIFE. ... "Mary!". It was the voice of Jesus"the same that once said to her,
"Thy sins are forgiven," and she spread her arms to clasp His feet, crying. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xliv love and life.htm

Why I Love Thee, Mary!
... SELECTED POEMS OF SOEUR TH??R??SE, THE LITTLE FLOWER OF JESUS WHY I LOVE THEE,
MARY! Last Poem written by Soeur Th??r??se Concluding Stanzas. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/why i love thee mary.htm

Of the Intimate Love of Jesus
... Did not Mary Magdalene rise up quickly from the place where she wept when ... heart on
thee, nor do thou give thyself up to the love of any, but let Jesus be in ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter viii of the intimate.htm

a Canticle of Love
... loving audacity, that delights the Heart of Jesus, has cast ... I lift up my heart to
God in trust and love. ... Mary Magdalen, to the woman taken in adultery, and to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/chapter xi - a canticle.htm

To Brother William and to Messer Matteo of the Misericordia
... In the Name of Jesus Christ crucified and of sweet Mary: ... servant and slave of the
servants of Jesus Christ, write ... must be clean, and not spotted by self-love. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to brother william and to.htm

The Ministry of Love, the Blasphemy of Hatred, and the Mistakes of ...
... Mary, called Magdalene,' had received from Him special benefit ... her who not only
ministered to Jesus in His Life, but, with eager avarice of love, watched afar ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxii the ministry of.htm

To Brother Bartolomeo Dominici of the Order of the Preachers when ...
... he brings, but opens the eye of love, and regards ... the sacrificed Heart of sweet and
good Jesus the Giver ... disciples, when it behoved them to leave Mary and one ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to brother bartolomeo dominici of.htm

Epilogue: a victim of Divine Love
... Thou comest, straightway let me die Of very love for Thee ... Oh, hearken Jesus, to my
suppliant cry: Come to my ... dying Sister; and at her desire, Sister Mary of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/epilogue a victim of divine.htm