³ While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.  ⁴ Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? ⁵ It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.  ⁶ “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ⁷ The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. ⁸ She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. ⁹ Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mark 14:3 – 9, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Context:

During Passion Week we are using objects in Scripture to preserve our memory of some of the key lessons about love that Jesus taught during Passion Week.  So far, we have focused on tears and overturned tables.  Today, we focus on perfume.

Reflection:

As Jesus predicted, the story of the woman with the expensive perfume has been preached worldwide.  There are many lessons to be learned from this encounter in Bethany, but we will limit our focus to a key lesson about love. 

The love displayed by the woman in Simon’s house was noteworthy because it was costly, risky and prophetic.  Her love was costly not only because it was expensive but also because she subjected herself to shame. Her love was risky because it was public and defied convention.  Proof of the risk was the negative response she received before Jesus came to her defense.  Her love was prophetic because it pointed to Jesus’ imminent burial.  No wonder Jesus called the experience “a beautiful thing.” 

What prompted this beautiful act of love, which stood in such stark contrast to the attitude of some attendees at the event?  The woman’s love appears to have come from a deep understanding of who Jesus is and how comprehensively He loves.  Her anticipation of Jesus’ burial highlighted the extremes to which Jesus would go because of His love.  Her actions bring to life 1 John 4 verse 19: “We love because he first loved us.”  If we don’t come to terms with the depth of God’s love for us, we rob ourselves of the reservoir of love we can draw from to love God and others.  The perfume was a symbol of appreciation and gratitude for the deep love Jesus always exhibited.    

Response:

Costly, risky, prophetic love comes from an infinitely deep source. That source is God.  The more we understand the depth of God’s love for us the more capable we are of loving.  This is a great week for reflection on God’s love for us.  There are many songs that have been written about the love of God.  Please share the words from one of your favourites.