Tag Archives: The Anointing

Matthew 26- The Anointing

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Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. Matthew 26:6-9

The first shocking part of this story , is a Leper named Simon was hosting a dinner, as we know from the Old Covenant, people with leprosy were outcasts and not allowed to associate with “clean” people in society. (Leviticus 13:46) However it’s clear, the former Leper named Simon was healed by Christ! This story is an indication of the New Covenant, this story demonstrates who Jesus truly is, The Christ, the Son of God, The Lord in the flesh

The woman is identified in the gospel of John, as Mary, the sister of Lazarus (John 12) So not only did Jesus heal Simon the Leper, who may have been the father of Mary, but Christ also raised Lazarus from the dead. It’s very clear to this family who Jesus is, they know He is the Son of God, and they are honoring him with the praise Christ is worthy of receiving.

The ointment or perfume was worth alot of money, it was estimated to be worth almost a year’s salary. (John 12:5) Judas , who Jesus called a devil (John 6:70)obviously cared more about money than he did about honoring Christ. The heart issue of Judas was revealed, even though he had seen the same miracles this family witnessed, he rejected Christ and loved the world more!

But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. Matthew 26:10-13

Jesus openly rebukes Judas for picking on Mary, this had to really bruise Judas ego. Women in the first Century were looked down upon in society, so for Christ to rebuke Judas to defend Mary, was a culture shock at the moment!

Jesus makes a profound statement “She has poured the ointment on my body for my burial” Christ was once again prophesying about his death as the Lamb of God (Isaiah 53) Mary’s act of worship and obedience will be remembered forever, strive to live from an eternal perspective and not for this dying world, Amen!

Mark 14- The Anointing

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And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. Mark 14:3-5

Jesus came back to visit the town of Bethany, this was the hometown of Lazarus , whom Jesus raised from the dead. They were hosting a dinner in honor of Jesus, Mary who is Lazarus’ sister , took a pint of perfume and anointed Jesus’ head with it and washed his feet. Nobody realized it at the time but she was actually prophesying about the death of Christ, which was going to happen only a few days later.

Judas Iscariot, rebuked Mary for wasting the perfume on Jesus, and claimed they could have sold it to feed the poor. Obviously we know Judas is wicked and only wanted to sell the perfume for his own profit. Judas also didn’t love Jesus as he sold him for 30 pieces of silver. The time was coming for the Son of Man to be delivered to the wicked to die for the sins of the world

And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. Mark 14:6-9

Jesus openly rebuked Judas in front of everyone, this probably came as a shock to him and everyone there, as woman in the first century were typically treated as lower class citizens. For Jesus to defend a woman over a man, especially a disciple , made a statement! Of course Jesus knew the wickedness also of Judas heart, his other disciples did not realize that Judas would betray Christ and have him killed

As Jesus stated “She has come beforehand to anoint my body for burial” this act was a prophecy of the death and burial of Christ. Nobody understood it at this time, but Mary was performing a sacred act, and Jesus said “What she has done will be spoken of as a memorial of her” A simple act of a loving disciple will be remembered by The Lord forever!

The hour is coming, for Christ to go to the cross, and die for our sins. The hour is coming for Jesus to rise again on the 3rd day defeating sin and death forever! The hour is coming for Christ to return again, are you ready? Be a humble servant like Mary, lay down at the feet of Christ, for Jesus is Lord Amen!