6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. 8 But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? 9 For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
Devotion breeds extravagance-nothing but the best for the Master. That is what this story is all about. Unaware of the deeper significance Jesus was about to assign her actions, the woman simply used what she had to honor Him. The value of this sacrifice did not go unnoticed.
There were many “better” things that could have been done with the perfume. At the least, as the disciples thought, it could have been converted into something more useful, namely, money. The disciples were not motived by their own benefit, but by the value represented which could have had benevolent value for the poor. To simply pour it out seemed an outrageous waste. They were “indignant,” just as ten of them were annoyed at James and John for trying to out-maneuver them into places of prominence (Matt 20:24).
Does this story justify the lavish embrace of ornate basilicas, temples and cathedrals so evident in some areas of Christendom today? Indeed, many consider such things a waste. Is this the same thing as our story? Methinks not.
First, the sacrifice of this woman’s was an individual, not an institutional sacrifice. Second, it was completely voluntary and under her control. Third, the gift was given directly to the Lord Jesus, not to a religious organization. Fourth, as we shall see shortly, this action was interpreted by Jesus as being prophetic. Fifth, her actions did not result in anyone living in luxury as is often the case of those who make their living by the basilicas, temples and cathedrals of today.
At whom were the disciples indignant? If at the woman, then what right did they have to judge her for how she spent her perfume? Christians today are often guilty of criticizing how others serve the Lord. Were they indignant at Jesus? Certainly that would not be beyond them as we saw in Peter’s attitude when he rebuked Jesus (Matt 16:22). Yet, who are we to question His glad acceptance of gifts given liberally to Him? Paul later commends the Macedonians because, “… in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality” (2 Cor 8:2). Yes, God accepts lavish sacrifice! When was the last time you or I gave abundantly to the Lord.
Lord, You gave abundantly for me, I want to do the same for You. The value of my gifts to You reflect Your preciousness to me.
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