READ: Mark 14:1-11: … Assuredly, I say to you, wherever … what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” Then Judas Iscariot … went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. …
Jesus has completed His teachings about the last days and is about to face His deepest suffering. Mark and the other gospel writers now report that the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are imminent. The church leaders, the chief priests, and scribes plot a scheme to seize and kill Jesus, wanting to avoid commotion during the feast.
In verse 3, Mark recalls what happened a few days earlier (John 12:1). They were in Bethany before traveling to Jerusalem via the Mount of Olives. At that time, His burial was already discussed, and Judas conceived his betrayal plan.
Jesus is at the table with His disciples and Simon, when a woman, Mary, pours a bottle of pure and costly perfume over Jesus’ head and feet (see John 12:3). The whole house of Simon smells of it. This is clearly an act of heartfelt love and dedication because this delightful perfume is very precious: worth more than a year’s wage or equivalent to the cost of maintaining maintenance of 300 families.
But the reactions are very different. Some, especially Judas, are indignant: what a waste! What is the point of this? They sharply rebuke Mary (v.5). Mary encounters disapproval, even anger, in their words and glances.
But Jesus rebukes them all and points out the uniqueness of this act: “She has done a good work for Me.” Of course, the Lord Himself cares for the poor, but what happens here surpasses all of that: the true Redeemer is honored by her. He will give His life for the poor and the rich – indeed all those who accept Him.
She did this right now with a view to the burial. She anointed His body in advance. Mary seems to be the only one who sees this and values it! Jesus says that the church all over the world will always remember this.
But Judas goes away to arrange his betrayal.
How do we honor Christ?
Singing: Ps. 50:4,7