A POUND OF VERY COSTLY OIL

A POUND OF VERY COSTLY OIL

Jesus had the most wonderful heart; it was truly sublime,
Despite His heavy workload every day, He would try and make time.
Lazarus had been raised from the dead, and had Jesus over for a meal,
Martha was at her best in the kitchen, cooking with great zeal.

Mary loved to sit at the Master’s feet, His words she loved to hear,
She could sit the whole day through, listening to her Master dear.
She wanted to tell Jesus all that was in her heart,
He had done so much for her family, His love He did impart.

But there was no time, for there were many guests at home,
She would not be able to find time with Jesus all alone.
Her mind mulled over what she could give Him as a gift,
Thoughts of her brother’s resurrection gave her heart a lift.

She decided then what she would give; it must be the best!
She knew that her gift would not be easily understood by the rest.
She had a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, no less,
She would offer this present to Jesus as He sat down for a bit of rest.

The fragrance of the spikenard filled the dining room,
Everyone stared at Mary as if she was a loon!
They were even more amazed when at Jesus’ feet the oil she poured,
And humbly she used her hair to dry the feet of the Master she adored!

The disciples of Jesus did not understand Mary’s action in the least,
What was she thinking, doing what she pleased!
The costly oil could have been sold and the money given away for ministry,
Mary seemed to have wasted the pound of spikenard in a moment of ecstasy.

Mary listened to all the unkind words that brought much pain,
She knew that she was right, and waited for the Master to explain.
He rebuked the disciples for their words, as He came to her defence,
Jesus had understood her act of love, it did not cause offence.

Jesus appreciated the understanding that Mary had in her soul;
She grieved that Jesus would die and be left out in the cold.
This was her farewell gift to her Master she loved with all her heart,
The Master deserved the best- the pound of very costly oil of spikenard.
John 12:3