Wednesday

“While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Mark 14:3-9

Was the anger of those who were there justified? Were they merely being practical, over what had seemed to be a waste? Would you or I have thought the same? Maybe so. But what we see here is one of the last acts of genuine kindness shown toward Christ. When we look at it in this way, aren’t we so glad she did it? 

As we look in on this scene, we are also aware that nearby, sits Judas. 

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. Mark 14:10-11

As Jesus is receiving His anointing from the woman, He was surely aware of what was turning in the heart of His disciple. 

Father, as we pause for a moment today to think about Jesus’ anointing at Bethany, help us see what a beautiful act this was. This kind woman has given something of real value to anoint our Lord for his burial. Thank you for this kindness shown to him before he began some truly horrific days.