The Preaching of Mary of Bethany

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)

Silent Preaching

Today there is a lot of controversy over the role of women in the church.  No matter what you say, no matter what Scripture you quote, someone is going to be offended.  I am a Scriptural realist on these matters and I like to let the plain sense make sense.  But when reading about the role of women in the church, we can’t let our view minimize the importance of their preaching, particularly their silent preaching.

I am convinced that women represent the bride of Christ which is the church.  When they fulfill their role, they represent a beauty and a devotion seldom seen in men who want to be “in charge.”  Mary of Bethany is a great example.

We never hear her speak except to say,, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. (John 11:32 NKJV).”  She had confidence in the Lord’s ability to heal but not in the Lord’s ability to raise the dead at that time in her life, but that changed.

Sitting at the Lord’s Feet

Mary sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to Him.  The chronology of some Gospel events is difficult for me to understand, but at some point Mary was the only disciple of the Lord’s who seemed to understand that the Lord was going to die and be raised again.  Whether sitting at his feet revealed that to her or whether that understanding came later, I do not know.  But I know that John records,  “But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. (John 12:7 NKJV).'” She knew the Lord was going to die.

Mary of Bethany does not appear at the cross.  We don’t read of her at the tomb.  The other disciples argued with Him about His coming Crucifixion, she didn’t.  She accepted it.  And the odor of that terribly expensive perfume that she used, filled the house and may have lingered with HIm all the way to the cross.  I think Mark 14 is referring to the same event where we read, “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her. (Mark 14:9 NKJV).”  She was silent but she has been the subject of most who preach the Gospel.

Effective Preaching

When I look at the role of women in the church,  I do understand that I would like my life to reflect the devotion and power of the life of Mary of Bethany.  Preaching is important, but Mary’s kind of preaching is the kind that is most effective.  We need to spend more time silently enjoying the Lord’s presence and we need to preach with such devotion to the Lord that it leaves the area with a sweet aroma.  And maybe we would not need to argue about all the theological issues that we tend to argue about today, since sitting at His feet might open our understanding.   And maybe we would quit telling people how to act and we would start telling them whom to trust.  Then just maybe we would all start acting right.

Bruce Collins

Meditation for the week of June 1, 2026

If you would like further conversation about the issues in these meditations, contact me at collinsbd@yahoo.com and I will try to accommodate you with a virtual Bible Study.