Poured Out at His Feet – Love in the Wilderness
A gentle reflection from John 12:1-8 about extravagant devotion
Here is a devotion to start your day!
A spoken version of this devotion is available through the Still, Here audio reflections podcast.
Scripture: John 12:1–8
Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’s feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.
Reflection
In Bethany, at a dinner given in Jesus’ honor, Mary breaks open a pound of very costly perfume and pours it on His feet, wiping them with her hair. The house fills with fragrance. To some, this is wasteful. Judas voices the objection: “Why wasn’t this sold and given to the poor?”
Jesus receives her act as preparation for His burial. Mary, who once sat at His feet to listen, now kneels there to lavish love without calculation. She is not efficient; she is extravagant. She doesn’t hold on. She releases. She seems to sense what others miss: the time is short, and presence is priceless. It is not a time to cling to what is unimportant in comparison.
Surrender sometimes looks like this—choosing love that doesn’t “make sense” to the watching world. We may be criticized for priorities that seem impractical, for attention and devotion that look like inefficiency. Yet Jesus defends Mary’s release of her possession. He calls her act “beautiful” and says it will be told wherever the gospel is preached.
Love in the wilderness will sometimes urge you beyond safe, measurable offerings into costly, poured-out devotion. Not because God needs your extravagance, but because you were made to love Him with heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Today, let your worship tip over from careful to wholehearted.
A Prayer of Presence
Jesus,
You are worthy of more than my leftovers. Loosen my grip on what I guard too tightly. Teach me Mary’s freedom—to let go of what is costly and lay it at Your feet.. Let me call it joy, not waste. – Amen
Practice for Today
Ask God if there is one “costly” thing—time, attention, money, or affection—He is inviting you to pour out in love for Him or for someone He loves. Take one concrete step in that direction, even if it feels small.
Consider This...
What holds me back from a more extravagant love for Jesus—fear of others’ opinions, attachment to comfort, or something else?
Carry This Prayer With You Today
Breathe in: I pour my love at Your feet...
Breathe out: ... I give my all to You
This work is freely shared. If it nourishes your life with God, you’re welcome to help sustain it.