Title: The Anointing at Bethany

Scripture reading: Mark 14:3-9

^“And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. ⁴ But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? ⁵ For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. ⁶ But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. ⁷ For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. ⁸ She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. ⁹ Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

Main idea: The woman’s loving act portrays the praise and worship that all should give for what he has done for us.

Home of Simon the Leper
The anointing of Jesus with expensive perfume by a woman (Mark 14:3-9) takes place in the house of Simon the Leper, another reminder of Jesus’ identifying with outcasts or former outcasts.  Jesus apparently had healed him of leprosy (Matt 26:6). Perhaps they were celebrating his healing. Jesus had come with his disciples to Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. As Jesus was “reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of pure and expensive fragrant oil. She broke the jar and poured it on His head.

Mary’s act of worship
This story is between the account of the treachery of the religious authorities (Mark 14:1-2) and the treachery of Judas (Mark 14:10-11). These two responses to Jesus from the religious leaders and the specially chosen friends of Jesus—turn out to be the perpetrators of the worst evil. The woman, in contrast, represents an example of a true disciple.

Neither Mark nor Matthew names the woman, but John tells us that it was Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 11:1-2). Nard, an aromatic oil appears in the Song of Songs as the bride’s perfume for the banquet of the king (Song 1:12).  Instead of removing the stopper and pouring a few drops, She broke the neck of the jar and poured all of the perfume on Jesus’ head. Making it no longer usable, and poured its full contents out on Jesus’ head (Mark 14:3).

Mark puts its value at three hundred denarii, almost a year’s wage for a day laborer (Matt. 20:4, 10). According to Mark 6:37, two hundred denarii would have been sufficient to provide a meal for five thousand people. Such a treasure might have been a family heirloom. Completely unconcerned about expense or decorum, the woman breaks the alabaster jar and pours the perfumed oil on the head of Jesus. The word for break is literally “shatter.” The woman gives up any possibility of reusing the flask or saving some of its contents.

To anoint someone’s head with oil was a gracious and hospitable gesture (Ps 23:5; Luke 7:46). In the Old Testament, to anoint the head with oil also has another unmistakable significance: it is the way to crown a king (1 Sam 10:1; 16:13) and to ordain a priest (Exod 29:7). This woman’s gesture is a symbolic recognition of Jesus the messianic king and high priest! Although she may have been only vaguely aware of the significance of her act, Jesus recognized and affirmed it.

“House was filled with the beautiful fragrance of the oil” (John 12:3).
There is always a “spiritual fragrance” in the home where Jesus Christ is loved and worshipped. (2 Cor. 2:15-16).

Criticism of the disciples (Mark 14:4-5).
Led by Judas (John 12:4) and in self-righteous pride, they questioned both her motive and her action. While she worshiped, they expressed their anger and displeasure at her. Judas thought this was a tremendous waste.  The word translated “waste” in Mark 14:4 is translated “perdition” in John 17:12 and applied to Judas! Judas criticized Mary for “wasting money,” but he wasted his entire life! What a brave hypocrite he was! No wonder “some” were blind enough to follow his lead.

This is the first of many times in this chapter that the disciples will fail Jesus: Judas will betray Jesus (14:10); the disciples will deny that they would ever desert Jesus (14:19, 31); the disciples will fall asleep three times when they should be watching (14:37-41); all the disciples will desert Jesus (14:48-50); Peter will deny three times that he knows Jesus (14:66-72).

No matter what others may say about our worship and service, the most important thing is that we please the Lord. The fact that others criticize us should not keep us from showing our love to Christ. Our concern should be His approval alone.

Jesus defended and commended Mary (Mark 14:6).
Why do you trouble her? That is, “Why are you furnishing burdens for her?” “Let her alone.” He shelters Mary from the attack of the enemies. The implication in the question is that these critics can in no respect justify their action. As proof Jesus renders his own verdict on Mary’s deed.

Jesus, in response, commends the woman and reproaches the grumbling men. She has done a good thing for me—that is, she has shown Jesus the honor and devotion of which he is worthy. Jesus accepted her gracious gift. He also knew Mary’s heart and defended her (Rom. 8:33-39). But Mary herself is silent and offers no defense. We learn from her that it is not always necessary to defend ourselves. Our good actions speak for themselves, and the only thing essential is that Jesus approves them.

“The poor you will always have with you,” (Mark 14:7).
Think of it, Judas speaks up for the poor! But note that he condemns not only Mary but Jesus himself. Judas implies that Jesus is robbing the poor; that he is lavishing upon himself what rightfully belongs to the poor.

When Jesus says, “The poor you will always have with you” Jesus was quoting a law of Moses: “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land” (Deut. 15:11).

If they were so generous for the poor, they would always be able to help them, because the poor are always present. But the Lord would soon die and be buried. This very evening was the only possible time to show Jesus the honor she had in mind. The implication is that the disciples will have very few further opportunities for doing anything especial for him. Like his earlier words about the bridegroom being taken away (Mark 2:20), it is a veiled prophecy of his crucifixion. This woman wanted to show this kindness while she could. She might not be able to care for His body in death, so she would show her love while He was still alive.

She anoints a king who is going to die, and he is the true Anointed One of God precisely because he is going to die. Some contend that this woman is the only follower of Jesus who understands the implications of his teaching. She knows that he is destined to die and seizes this last opportunity to express her love.

Mary’s example (Mark 14:8)
“She has done what she could.” Mary took the initiative. She did an act of devotion when no one else would. She gave of her resources in a way only she could. Some people only talk about what they can do or wish they would have done, but Mary did what she felt led to do.

Jesus gave the answer when he rebuked the disciples who were criticizing her for what they regarded as a waste of money. Jesus says: “She undertook in advance to anoint my body for the burial.” The words mean exactly what they say. “The burial” with its article speaks of it as being close at hand, and the burial, of course, involves the corresponding death. Jesus had tried to explain his death to all of them. But the disciples did not understand. Only Mary understood, and she had for some time. Now she poured out her perfume to show Jesus that she understood what he was about to do and loved him for it.

The character of this woman is such that it ought not to surprise us so much that, where men failed, she saw that Jesus was now going straight to his death-by crucifixion as he had said. Thus she leaped to the conclusion that, when the tragedy now broke, it would be utterly impossible to reach Jesus and to anoint his dead body for its burial. That is why she acted now and embraced the opportunity which she had hoped would come and for which she was prepared.

The phrase, she poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial, was a reminder of Jesus to his followers about his upcoming crucifixion and burial. The motivation for Mary’s act was love and devotion. But Jesus interpreted her act of sacrifice as a fitting preparation for his death and burial.

How did Mary come to understand this when the others failed to do so?
In Luke 10, when Jesus came to visit their home Martha was busy with preparations for the meal, but Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said” (Luke 10:39). This is where we find her in John 11, when Jesus returned following the death of Lazarus. When Mary came to Jesus “she fell at his feet,” saying, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32).

Mary is mentioned three times in the Gospels; each time she is at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:38-42; John 11:31-32; 12:1-8). Mary loved Jesus. Mary had a close fellowship with the Lord as she sat at His feet and listened to His Word. Every time we see Mary she is at Jesus’ feet, worshiping him and learning from him.

In Hebrew idiom, sitting at the feet of another person means to learn from that person, as a child might learn from a parent, or a student from his teacher. The way we sit at Jesus’ feet today is by studying the Bible, for it is there that he speaks to us. Do you study the Bible? Do you attend Bible studies regularly? If you do not know much about spiritual things, it is because you have not spent time at Jesus’ feet.

Mary had sat at Jesus’ feet not only to learn from him but also to get to know him. She had looked into his eyes and had seen his sorrow as he thought forward to the cross. She identified with him in his sorrow. She said to herself, “What can I do to show Jesus that I love him and that I understand what he is doing for us?” She thought of her perfume, the most precious possession she had. Perhaps she kept that perfume as a dowry for her own wedding. She gave it all, and Jesus understood at once, as he always does.

Many years ago, when he was just a young boy, Pastor Donald Grey Barnhouse was riding on a train with a well-known Bible teacher on the way to one of the Bible teacher’s meetings. The older man was reading his Bible. Barnhouse was reading the newspaper. At one point the Barnhouse looked over at the teacher, saw what he was doing, and said, “I wish I knew the Bible like you do.”

“You’ll never get to know it by reading the newspaper,” the older man said kindly. Barnhouse said later that he got the message, put his newspaper away, and began to read his own Bible. In time he became a well-known Bible teacher too. (Ralph L. Keiper, Philadelphia, The Bible Study Hour, 1961, 9–10).

‘’What this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:9).
God, whose image is Christ (Heb. 1:3), takes keen delight in rewarding the faithfulness of those who honor him? “The Rewarder of those who diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6)? Notice how generously he rewarded those who obeyed and worshipped him. Abraham (Gen. 22:15–18), Ruth (Ruth 1:16, 17; 2:12; 4:13–22), Hannah (1 Sam. 1:1-20).

The Bible says we should make “the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16). Time is not simply a continuum. On occasion, a choice, an act, a love, is “now or never.” He notices everything we do to serve and honor him. Never think of your seemingly insignificant gesture as meaningless. God is pleased with your kindness, and he will remember.

Jesus’ announcement also affirms that the gospel will be preached to all the nations (Mark 14:9). In other words, this story is not a tragedy; it is good news. Jesus connects her action to “wherever the gospel is preached” (Mark 14:9). What is the gospel if not good news for the poor (Matt. 5:3, 11:5; Luke 4:17-19)? Faithful and loving actions toward Jesus will not be forgotten. Comparing this incident with the widow and her two copper coins (Mark 12:41-44) may help understand things. The widow gave everything she had (Mark 12:44) into the treasury. Now this woman pours out everything she has on Jesus. Both women serve as examples of total commitment that holds nothing back.

Application
The anointing at Bethany parallels the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44). The two stories are closely connected. Both women give generous gifts at great sacrifice, despite the monetary difference (two copper coin versus three hundred days’ wages). In each case Jesus alone noticed and recognized the value of the gift. He praises both women. And both cases offer a contrast with evil men: the scribes who devour widows’ houses (Mark 12:40) and the scribes who plot Jesus’ death (Mark 14:1). Each woman’s gift foreshadows the death of Jesus, the widow by giving “her whole living” (“her whole life”) as Jesus was about to do, the other woman by anointing him for his burial.

Do you want to be remembered? Then do as Mary did. Share your possessions, and give yourself to others. Build the lives of other people. Remember that Jesus said, “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? (Matthew 16:25-26).

When Mary gave her best in faith and love, she started a “wave of blessing” that has been going on ever since. She was a blessing to Jesus as she shared her love, and she was a blessing to her home as the fragrance spread. Mary has been a blessing to the whole world–and still is! The Lord’s prediction has certainly been fulfilled.

An interesting twist to this story is that Mary anointed Jesus as a memorial for him, in view of his death and burial, though what she did actually became a memorial to her. “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:9). She left no name, but rather the memory of a beautiful deed. The prophecy of Jesus has been fulfilled literally. The sweet aroma of her perfume has literally filled the world.

Let’s pray together
Heavenly Father, You are a Rewarder who diligently seek You. You notices everything we do for you and You will reward us one of these days. In Jesus Name Amen.