For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
A woman gives Jesus the most extravagant gift of love — and Jesus teaches that the most beautiful things grow from giving ourselves away.
Today's Story
Jesus was at dinner with His friends, including Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (the one Jesus had raised from the dead!). Mary loved Jesus so much. She took a jar of very, very expensive perfume — worth a whole year's pay — and poured ALL of it on Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The whole house filled up with the sweet smell.
Some grumbled, “What a waste! That could have been sold!” But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has done a beautiful thing for Me.” Mary gave her very best, out of pure love — and Jesus treasured it.
Then Jesus taught about something coming. “Unless a seed falls into the ground and dies,” He said, “it just stays one little seed. But if it's planted, it grows into a whole plant with lots of fruit.” Jesus was talking about Himself — He would give His life, like a seed planted in the ground, and out of it would grow new life for the whole world.
Love that gives itself away — like Mary's perfume, like a planted seed, like Jesus on the cross — is the most beautiful, life-giving thing there is.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Mary gave Jesus her very best out of love. What's a “best gift” of love you could give Jesus or someone else?
- Some called Mary's gift a waste, but Jesus called it beautiful. Why do you think Jesus saw it differently?
- Jesus said a seed has to be planted to grow. How is giving ourselves away in love like a seed growing?