In my Church Music Director positions I've always sought to present the highest and best that can be offered by a particular congregation. This poem compares that vision with Mary's lavish gift to Jesus, recorded in the gospel of John . . .
Pour it out, note upon note
At the foot of the cross
Like fragrance costly in days of old
Filling Lazarus' home
With fragrant perfume
As Mary loved lavish
And holy and long
And measured not with grasping hand
The value of her dear Lord's death
And the cost of grace.
"Then Mary took about
A pint of pure nard,
An expensive perfume;
She poured it on Jesus’ feet
And wiped his feet with her hair.
And the house was filled
With the fragrance of the perfume."
© 2006, Nancy Gerst and selection from John 12:3 NIV 1984
