Mary

Holy Wednesday – There’s Still More

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head   
Mark 14:3 ESV
Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. John 12:3 NKJV

I have long been puzzled by the small but significant differences in the stories of the anointing of Jesus at Bethany. Then I began to re-imagine the scene at the banquet. I started by looking at Lazarus, seated quietly next to Jesus, and of course Martha bringing food to the tables as the room slowly filled with people. Suddenly, Mary appeared in the doorway, holding her alabaster jar of perfumed oil. While people munched on their meals, loudly visiting with their neighbors, she silently slipped through the crowd to where Jesus reclined, and then she broke the seal on her jar pouring some on the head of Jesus. The power of the fragrance immediately filled the room. A momentary silence ensued as the guests stopped and turned to see what had happened. But then, just as quickly as the beautiful perfume wafted through the room, the air began to be filled with complaints about the waste of precious resources that she had made. But Mary knelt unashamedly, looking up to Jesus’s face and saw His acceptance of her gift. Then, with a smile, she poured the remainder of her perfumed oil on His feet and wiped them dry with her hair. No matter how others thought of her, Mary was focused on only one thing. She still had more for Jesus! As we are traveling together towards the Cross this week, we should also ask; “Am I worried about what everyone else thinks today, or can I say with Mary, “Master there’s still more!”

Mary Just Believed

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments 
One quiet night in Nazareth
God’s angel came to tell
Sweet Mary as she sat alone
Of God Immanuel

As Mary listened, she believed
God’s great eternal plan
“But how,” she asked “Could He choose me?
When I don’t know a man?”

In kind reply the angel said
“God’s Spirit soon will come
And by His shadow cover you
To make this child His Son

“And He will be the Lamb of God
The gift all may receive
Filled by God’s grace and truth with love.”
And Mary just believed!

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. 
Luke 1:45 ESV

Mary Just Believed
By Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2025 
All rights reserved

Mary Believed

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments 
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. 
Luke 1:45 ESV

One quiet day in Nazareth, as Mary sat alone, her solitude was broken by an angel. Now, I don’t know about you, but if an angel, suddenly appeared in front of me I would be either terrified, or ready to fight. But this was no ordinary angel and though Mary appeared quite ordinary, she possessed the rare quality that only God knew about: she was ready to believe. Yes, she was from the right family (David’s) she lived at the right time, (the fulness of time) and was engaged to the right guy (Joseph), but God’s message did not find a home in her because of those things. God’s Final Word – His Son – was conceived in her because she believed. Though, Mary did have a question, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” which was certainly a valid point! How wonderful that God does not become angry when we ask honest questions, but He gives us answers that will require our belief to take a second step.

And Mary’s belief led her to the step of obedience, “Let it be to me according to your word.” To be like Mary, our belief must move beyond our correct theology. We may be on the right path, but if we don’t walk down it, we will never get to its destination. Nine months later, Mary gave birth on Christmas because she said “Yes,” every day from believing God’s message, till the first breath of Jesus in Bethlehem. Then after Mary carried her child those nine long months, amazing things began to happen. Shepherds came worshipping, wise men arrived with gifts, and Mary treasured all these things in her heart. Where are you in your journey with Jesus? Have you received and believed the good news? Have you walked a long quiet time while God’s promise grew large in your heart? Have you given birth in a stable when you hoped it would be a more proper home? Don’t ever give up. God keeps His promises, and miracles will happen, if we believe that we can treasure in our hearts forever!