TO ANOINT JESUS’ BODY / MARK 16:1

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Mark 16:1

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

The Hidden Fragrance of Devotion: Lessons from Mark 16:1

Mark 16:1 opens with a quiet, somber image: “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.”

In the modern world, our funeral customs are highly structured, often handled by professionals behind closed doors. But in ancient Jewish tradition, preparing a body for burial was deeply personal, intimate, and immediate. The action of these three women wasn’t a standard bureaucratic routine—it was a profound, final act of love and devotion.

Love When Hope is Lost

Consider the emotional state of these women. They had watched their Teacher, the one they believed to be the Messiah, die a brutal death on the cross. The Sabbath had forced them to pause, trapped with their grief. The moment the restrictions lifted, they bought expensive spices and hurried to the tomb.

Here is the most striking part: they did not expect a resurrection.

They weren’t going to the tomb to witness a miracle. They went expecting to find a cold, lifeless body. They went expecting a heavy stone to block their way. Yet, despite their shattered expectations and broken hearts, their love for Jesus did not waver. They wanted to honor Him, even when they thought it was over.

Anointing the Ordinary

How often do we only serve God when we expect a spectacular outcome? The faith of these women challenges us to show up even in the darkness. Loving Jesus means offering our “spices”—our time, our resources, our devotion—even when we cannot see how the story ends, and even when we feel defeated.

As it turned out, their act of devotion positioned them to be the very first witnesses to the greatest event in human history. They went to anoint a corpse, but instead, they encountered the living King.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the beautiful example of devotion left by the women at the tomb. In moments when our hope feels buried and our expectations are shattered, give us the grace to keep moving toward You. Forgive us for the times we only serve You when we expect a visible reward.

Help us to bring our acts of love, our daily sacrifices, and our broken hearts to You as a sweet-smelling offering. Increase our faith to believe that even when we see only a tomb, You are already working a miracle. We offer You our devotion today, trusting in the power of the risen Christ.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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