“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John 12:3)

Fexofenadine hydrochloride, aka Target-brand generic non-drowsy allergy relief tablets.

Our family keeps the box on the kitchen table this time of year. We eat them like candy. The smell of spring is welcome, but it comes at a cost.

The fragrance that filled Lazarus’ house that day in Bethany must have been beautiful. Not overwhelming, like my teenaged son when he douses himself with Axe spray. Not sickly sweet, like the perfume counter at the department store. That day at Lazarus’ house, the followers smelled the scent of grace, the scent of love.

But it came at a cost, and some of them thought the cost was too high.

What kind of Man would pour out His life for sinners like you and me? Was that cost too high? Of course, it was. He paid it anyway.

Today, this Monday of Holy Week, I will pay attention to the scents of grace around me, however passing—the lilies on my table, the cinnamon sitting out on my kitchen counter, even my son coming home later from track practice (sans Axe spray)—and I will know that this immense beauty I am able to experience each day was bought at a price, and I will give thanks.