Lenten Thoughts: Matthew 26: 6-13
Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 11:11AM 6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” Matthew 26:6-13
I wonder. Did she know she was preparing his body for burial? Does it matter? Whether she knew it or not, she was bold and extravagant in her expression of love and service to Christ. She held nothing back. It wasn't done in a corner; it was done in the presence of others. She had to know that once the costly oil was poured out and its fragrance filled the room, everyone would become aware of what she was doing. It probably didn't come as a surprise when the disciples became indignant and began to speak critically of her "wasteful" use of what belonged to her.
It's that way today, too, isn't? Why is it that sacrificial giving frequently seems to bring out the worst? I've seen it in churches and, probably, so have you. Someone makes a huge donation to the building program and word gets out. "Oh, he's just throwing his money around so we all know how much he has," or "he wants a seat on the deacon board." It doesn't have to be a financial gift. Someone has an idea for a new ministry or expresses a desire for increased service to the church. There are always grumblers.
Have you ever been a grumbler? I'm ashamed to admit it, but I have. Maybe not outloud but I have questioned other people's motives or had uncharitable, unworthy thoughts. I remember being strongly convicted of my own sinfulness in this area when reading Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions:
Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it.
Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it.
Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.
The thing is; the only Person Who truly understood this woman and the motives behind her sacrificial giving was Christ and He said it was beautiful.
This passage encourages me to endeavor to love and serve Christ whole heartedly--not worrying about what other people might think or say--and it reminds me not to be critical or cynical about others' service to Christ even when it might seem on the surface that it is all for attention. Only Christ knows.
*These Lenten thoughts are just that: just my own sometimes rambling thoughts as I contemplate the passages.
Reader Comments (4)
I love this passage. It speaks to me on many levels- I think of the essential oil that changes with the body chemistry of the person wearing it and imagine what it must have been like to have the fragrance of Jesus on my hands and in my hair. AND THEN I know that it is my submission and conduct and obedience that gives me that fragrance that He shares with us before the Father. It changes the character of obedience and faith when I recognize that I am marked by the fragrance of our Lord.
Her pouring the precious ointment on Jesus was an overflow of her love for him, and that he called it a beautiful thing must have thrilled her! So often I'm too practical, when really I need to be lavish in giving to others and thereby doing a beautiful thing for him.
The Edwards quote always steps (no, tromps) on my toes. Thanks for putting it in front of me again.
Glad Squarespace could retrieve your post!
Beautiful post. That passage of Scripture always challenges me to ponder what it means to worship my Lord with courage and extravagance.
I read this passage in your post, Kim, with a different view from the one I've had in previous readings. It occurred to me that perhaps what the disciples were really voicing was concern that the relationship between Christ and this woman might be closer than theirs was to Him. And there are some really ugly applications in that that I don't even want to talk about!