Tag: John 12:5-6
Costly anointing oil
Scripture reading for February 27: Mark 14
“It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest Him by stealth and kill him, for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people. And while He was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over His head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her.” Mark 14:1-5
When we look at everything through the lens of profit, we don’t see as Jesus sees. Some of the disciples, Judas in particular, saw the woman pouring expensive anointing oil on Jesus. They deemed this a waste of potential profit to help the poor as it was worth a year’s wages. It seemed like a noble and godly way to look at things, since God does commend His people in caring for the poor. (Proverbs 14:31) But Judas, as treasurer of the disciples, had hidden motives as he had been taking from the treasury for himself. (John 12:5-6) We also note that Judas left after this incident and agreed with the religious leaders to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. His greed cost him and led to his own destruction.
Jesus viewed this act of worship by the woman as an honor. He said that she did that to prepare His body for burial, again telling them of His coming death. Jesus promised the disciples that wherever the Gospel was preached, this act of kindness would be remembered. That’s why it was written into God’s Word for us today and for all who will hear and believe. Our worship of Jesus through giving is honoring of Jesus and He takes note and rewards eternally!
As you consider this story, how would you judge this woman pouring out a year’s wages on Jesus? What do you think she was thinking as she made this offering? What change in your world view is Jesus calling you to with this story?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for my stingy eye when what I view as wasteful is really extravagant worship. Help me to see clearly what is of real value and worth in this world. May my worship be extravagant like this woman’s and pleasing to You. Amen.