John 12:1-11 | What's the connection?

There are many connections to make throughout this section. One I want to focus on is the act of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus. There are a few interesting point to note here.

Firstly, when someone was anointed, it was usually the head that was anointed. Take the example of kings or priests. Oil would be poured over their heads as the act of anointing. Here, it is Jesus' feet that was anointed. It shows an even greater respect for Jesus. She had not the authority to anoint His head, but nevertheless she poured out what she had.

Secondly, Mary used her hair to wipe His feet. 1 Corinthians 11 gives us some insight into how this would be seen as the hair of a woman was her glory. Additionally, it was never the master of the house that would clean the feet of the guests, but the servants. So in light of what Jesus has done, she bows before Him, lays down her glory and serves Jesus.

Then an interesting note - it says the house was filled with the fragrance of oil. This is reminiscent of the language of when the Lord's house would be consecrated and filled.

34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
-Exodus 40:34-35

10 And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.
-1 Kings 8:10-11

Jesus is this temple that is being rebuilt. It is through Jesus that we commune with the Father. The fragrance filling the house demonstrates an important lesson that we will be getting into later. Nevertheless, I find this connection particularly interesting. Humility in serving the Lord leads to the house being filled with the fragrance of Jesus.

What connections are you making?