Have you ever found yourself criticizing someone for doing good? He saw a need and tried to help; he sensed another’s hurt and tried to comfort. We did not help, we did not comfort, yet we are quick to object to the other person’s compassion and kindness. A situation like this happened to Jesus a few days before His death. Mark records what happened in chapter 14, verses 1 through 11 of the Gospel which bears his name.
“It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception, and kill him. For they said, “Not during the feast, because there might be a riot among the people.” While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard—very costly. She broke the jar, and poured it over his head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, “Why has this ointment been wasted? For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor.” So they grumbled against her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying. Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her.” Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them. They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him.”
Mark writes that the religious leaders wanted to arrest and kill Jesus. We know from another Scripture that this was not merely a desire; they issued an arrest warrant. “…the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.” John 11:57 NIV)
Why did the authorities want Jesus dead? The Apostle John writes they were afraid everyone would believe on Jesus and the authorities would lose their positions. They would not let anyone stand in the way of their personal ambition. So, rather than acknowledge Jesus as the Christ and submit to Him, they decided to kill Him. There are many today who have the same attitude. Self is their god and they will suffer no rival. They refuse to serve another – even God’s holy Christ.
Though the authorities had issued an arrest warrant and ordered anyone who knew of Jesus’ whereabouts to report it, there were at least two families in Bethany who disobeyed the orders of the ruling Council. These were the households of Lazarus and Simon the Leper. Far from turning Jesus in, they held a dinner in His honor. This was particularly bold because it appears that Lazarus’ household was well connected to the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. There could be no clearer statement that they were going to side with Jesus even if it meant losing their friends and social connections.
The dinner took place at the house of Simon the Leper. We don’t know who Simon was. Presumably he was someone whom Jesus had healed. On this occasion it is probable that Simon acted as the host, while Lazarus’ sister Martha prepared and served the food.
While the banquet was in progress, Lazarus’ sister Mary anointed Jesus’ head. She demonstrated the extent of her love by not just using water or oil, but lavishly pouring out an extremely expensive perfume. But that is not all. The other accounts of this incident say that Mary also anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped up the excess perfume with her hair. In terms of the Jewish culture, this was shocking. For a woman to let down her hair in front of outsiders was considered indecent. Mary not only showed Jesus love, and lavished her wealth on Him, she entrusted her very honor and reputation to Him. In other words, she gave Jesus total commitment.
How expensive was the perfume Mary used? Mark writes that it was worth about 300 denarii. A working man could expect to receive one denarius per day in wages. In other words, the cost of the perfume was equivalent to about a year’s wages.
Not everyone was thrilled with Mary’s gift. Jesus’ disciples objected strenuously. “What a waste! The perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Jesus rebuked them sharply. “You can help the poor any time you like. You won’t always have Me. Mary has anointed my body for burial ahead of time.”
At first Jesus’ words might seem indifferent toward the poor. But Jesus wasn’t making a statement about poverty. He was teaching a lesson about priorities. There is no point in healing somebody’s physical body if we neglect to tell them about the One who can heal their souls. There is no point in feeding the hungry unless we also point them to the bread from heaven and the water of life. Our priority must always be Jesus.
If anyone tells us that we’re spending too much time with Jesus or that we’re giving Him too much devotion, it’s an indication that their motives aren’t right. In Judas’ case, he didn’t really care about the poor. The Apostle John tells us that he was a thief. All he could see in Mary’s action was a lost opportunity to line his own pockets.
Mary, on the other hand, was not concerned about anything but Jesus. Surely she knew about the arrest warrant. Mary apparently realized that in just a little while, Jesus was going to die. She could not prevent His execution but she did what she could for Jesus. She expressed her love while she had the opportunity. What about us? Have we done what we could for those who are dear to us? Is there someone to whom we need to say, “I love you” before it’s too late?
In contrast to Mary, Judas decided to betray Jesus to those seeking His life. If he couldn’t profit from Mary’s perfume he would find another way to fatten his purse. He sold his own honor as well as the One he claimed to serve for a few coins. Do we love money more than Jesus?