6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9“This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11The poor you will always have with you,a but you will not always have me.12When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:6-13)
Thoughts: Bethany is about an eight mile walk from Jerusalem. Jesus had a good base there- where he raised Lazarus from the dead right in the center of town. In the Gospel of John it describes this same event but has Mary, sister of Lazarus, anointing his feet. But such details do not contradict Matthew- his anointing could have included head, foot and other places (as the anointing of a priest did).
John also indicates Judas, who was greedy, was the one who questioned the waste of the oil on Jesus. Perhaps Jesus' answers disappointed Judas enough where he immediately afterwards arranged to betray Jesus.
Jesus' reply to the criticism of waste in worship was clearer in another gospel where he says, "the poor you will have with you." This teaches us that Jesus- who just the chapter before championed the poor- also made room for spending things in worship. Some secularists have a hard time seeing the church as anything but a poor- helping charity. But Jesus points out the place for worship here.
Jesus knew this was an anointing for his death. This anointing is not a burial anointing, but rather an anointing indicating He called to die. The name "Christ" or "Messiah" means "anointed one." He was anointed as a king and a prophet and a priest- but He is also anointed for a task. His task was to be the sacrificial lamb whose vicarious suffering paid for our release from sin.
John also indicates Judas, who was greedy, was the one who questioned the waste of the oil on Jesus. Perhaps Jesus' answers disappointed Judas enough where he immediately afterwards arranged to betray Jesus.
Jesus' reply to the criticism of waste in worship was clearer in another gospel where he says, "the poor you will have with you." This teaches us that Jesus- who just the chapter before championed the poor- also made room for spending things in worship. Some secularists have a hard time seeing the church as anything but a poor- helping charity. But Jesus points out the place for worship here.
Jesus knew this was an anointing for his death. This anointing is not a burial anointing, but rather an anointing indicating He called to die. The name "Christ" or "Messiah" means "anointed one." He was anointed as a king and a prophet and a priest- but He is also anointed for a task. His task was to be the sacrificial lamb whose vicarious suffering paid for our release from sin.
Prayer: Lord, help me to answer my call in life from you. Help me to appreciate your calling and anointing.
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