Calendar

ANOINTED FOR BURIAL
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Matthew 26:1-13

John 12:2-8

 

“…she did it for my burial.”

 

ANOINTED FOR BURIAL
 
Jesus here predicted His death for the fifth and final time. Jesus would be betrayed and crucified immediately after the Passover meal, on the first day of the feast of unleavened bread. The Jewish leaders had already conspired to kill Jesus. They decided not to execute their plan during the Passover week for fear of a revolt by the people. But Jesus overruled their timing by fixing the date of His death ahead of time. This shows that God is in control, not man. Moreover, Scripture must be fulfilled; Jesus had to be the true Passover Lamb (Exod 12; Isa 53).
 
Simon the leper, healed and full of gratitude, had Jesus over to his house. This took place in Bethany, the town of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, whose home Jesus resided whenever He was in Jerusalem. Evidently Simon knew them, and had them over for dinner as well. Martha as usual was busy serving, and Lazarus was with Jesus at the table. But Mary did something most significant. She anointed Jesus with a very expensive perfume from an alabaster jar. She poured it on His head, and then used her hair to wipe His feet. There was enough perfume (a Roman pound = 12 ounces or 0.373 kg) to cover the Lord’s entire body from head to toe. The whole house was filled with sweet fragrance.
 
The disciples however felt that it was a terrible waste. Judas Iscariot spoke up and complained that what Mary had done was wasteful. The perfume could have been sold at a high price (300 pence or denarii = one year’s salary), and the money given to the poor. John was quick to comment that Judas said it not because he was altruistic, but because he was a thief. He had been made treasurer, but pilfered from the moneybag. It is no surprise that he betrayed Jesus for only thirty silver shekels (a month’s salary).
 
Jesus vindicated Mary. He knew her heart and mind. She did it not only because she loved the Lord, but also to prepare Him for burial. Mary had been an attentive student of Jesus. She paid attention and meditated on His every word. By faith, with the Spirit’s illumination, she believed in His prediction about His death (Matt 26:2 cf. 16:21).
 
THOUGHT: I wonder have I done my best for Jesus?

PRAYER: Father, help me like Mary to give my best to Thee.

Search