Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. [John 12.3]
Evidently, this perfume was some pretty potent stuff. Because it was used to anoint dead people to overcome the stench of death, we can conclude that it would be necessarily quite strong and therefore long-lasting...
This would mean that every event recorded about Jesus following this time took place in the aroma of this expensive perfume. How long did this scent last? We don't know, but again, because of its quality and potency, it is not unreasonable to believe its aroma lasted throughout Jesus' time in Jerusalem, the Passover, the Garden of Gethsemane, and even up to and through Jesus' trial, the beatings, and the crucifixion itself.
It is not unlikely that everyone who came into close proximity of Jesus in the remaining days of His life on earth recognized the beautiful fragrance upon Him albeit the fragrance recognized as that of death.
The men who nailed Jesus to the cross, no doubt, did so in the fragrance of this perfume.
The twelve knew this anointing had taken place - they had heard Jesus say it was in preparation for His death. But the rest of the people Jesus would encounter afterwards would know nothing of it... except that they would undoubtedly recognize the 'fragrance of death.' Do you suppose any of them wondered what that was about?
It is my intent, this year, to read the rest of Jesus' life story following this event, considering the unspoken fragrance of death that was upon Him...
Father, help me to understand that everything following today's described event of Jesus' anointing for burial was done in fragrance of that anointing... the fragrance of death.
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