Mary’s story is told in Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 10:38-42; John 11:17-45;12:1-11

Mary of Bethany: A Quiet Example of Deep Faith

In the New Testament, there’s a woman named Mary of Bethany whose love for Jesus shines through in a quiet but powerful way. She isn’t known for big speeches or miracles—but for her devotion, her listening heart, and her beautiful acts of worship.

Let’s take a closer look at who she was and what we can learn from her life.

Who Was Mary of Bethany?

Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The three siblings lived in a village called Bethany, near Jerusalem. Their home became a special place where Jesus was welcomed and loved.

Mary is mentioned a few times in the Bible, and in each story, we find her doing one thing—being near Jesus.

1. Sitting at Jesus’ Feet (Luke 10:38–42)

One day, Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha’s home. While Martha was busy preparing the meal, Mary did something unusual for that time—she sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him teach.

Martha got frustrated and asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But Jesus gently told Martha that Mary had chosen what was better.

This moment teaches us something important: being with Jesus is more important than being busy for Him. Mary shows us the value of slowing down and focusing on what matters most.

2. Grieving at Jesus’ Feet (John 11)

Later, Mary’s brother Lazarus became very sick and died. When Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, Mary ran to meet Him. She fell at His feet, crying and saying, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Mary’s heart was broken, and she didn’t hide her pain. Jesus didn’t scold her—He wept with her. Then, in a powerful moment, He raised Lazarus from the dead.

Mary reminds us that we can come to Jesus with our sorrow. He sees our pain and cares deeply.

3. Worshiping at Jesus’ Feet (John 12:1–8)

Just days before Jesus’ death, Mary did something that shocked everyone. She took a jar of very expensive perfume, poured it on Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair.

Some people, like Judas Iscariot, criticized her. They said the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor. But Jesus defended Mary. He said she had done a beautiful thing and was preparing Him for His burial.

This act of love wasn’t practical—it was personal, generous, and full of worship. Mary gave what she had, holding nothing back.

What Can We Learn from Mary of Bethany?

Mary of Bethany didn’t preach or perform miracles. She simply loved Jesus deeply. Her story teaches us:

  • Take time to be with Jesus. Listening to Him is more important than always doing things for Him.
  • Bring your heart to Jesus. Whether you’re happy or hurting, He cares.
  • Worship with what you have. Mary gave her best, and it pleased Jesus.
  • Don’t fear being misunderstood. Others may not get it, but Jesus knows your heart.

Conclusion

In a world full of noise and hurry, Mary of Bethany invites us to slow down. Her story reminds us that the most important thing we can do is sit at Jesus’ feet—listening, learning, loving, and worshiping.

You don’t need to be famous or loud to make a difference. Sometimes, a quiet heart that chooses Jesus is the most powerful thing of all.