Mark 14:3-9
“While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.””
Mark 14:3-9 NIV
Mark moves us from a scene of some of the worst of human motivations against Jesus in verses 1 & 2 to this scene, one of the most precious stories of love and appreciation for Jesus we find in the Gospels.
This woman's expensive sacrifice prepares both Jesus and us for His sacrifice which lies ahead.
A sacrificial offering does not come at all times but is seasonal and timely. The riches of God’s glory are not something that exists everywhere but they are inside of us.
Whenever we receive a demand from God, we should respond instantly. The people were waiting to embalm Jesus after death but it was late because He needed it before death, which this woman did because she was sensitive to a divine timetable.
How would you feel about this woman pouring perfume on Jesus’ head? Would you agree with the chief priests and teachers of the law that she was wasting it?
Or would you realize, like Jesus did, that she was showing him love by giving him something precious to her. She was showing Him love by taking time from her life to share what she had with Jesus? This was the best way in her eyes to show her love toward Jesus.
Jesus was always doing great things for people. Here was a chance for him to be the receiver of love. He allowed her to be the giver and therefore she was able to feel the joy of doing something special for someone else.
Do we seize the moment to show our love to others like this woman? Or will we later regret the missed opportunity when our friends or family are gone?
Jesus reminds us that it’s important to take time to show our love to others that it’s OK to not always do the most economical thing because this chance may not be here tomorrow.
Mary’s focus was on Christ in worship. She had no concern for what anyone else thought or said. Romans 12:1 says we are “to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Mary did all that she could to worship Christ by her actions. It is the size of the heart that matters, not the size of the gift. And whatever is done for Jesus will be noticed and remembered by Him.
The disciples were treating this woman as an outsider, as a person who isn't doing right because she doesn't have the right teaching. She isn't orthodox enough, isn't moral enough, and doesn't follow the true precepts.
But whether her actions were wise or not, they were representations of true love, of true devotion. And Jesus will never despise true devotion. No one was actually harmed by her act.
Perhaps another form of devotion would have been better. But Jesus loved her heart, nonetheless.
This is hope for us. Because many of our acts of devotion are sloppy, or simply wrong-headed. But Jesus isn't looking at the rightness of the action, but the pure love of the heart. If Jesus gives us a break, perhaps we should give others a break as well.
We may feel inadequate and lacking in resources, but God knows when we do what we can in love and service for Him.
Father thank you for this day and Your amazing grace and love. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord help us remember to show love to those around us as they may not be here tomorrow. Lord teach us to allow others to do things for us so they will feel the joy of giving as well. Lord may our lives be a fragrant sacrifice of praise to You. Lord use my friend to be someone’s blessing today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya!
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