Introduction: For the next few days, these devotions are going to carry us through the steps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, during what is called PASSION WEEK. Do you remember that week? Our prayer is that by tracing the journey of JESUS to the cross and beyond will activate a greater love and devotion to Him, which will result in a more dedicated lifestyle that glorifies the One that laid down His life for us (and then took it up again). What about it?
Starting with the “Anointing” of JESUS, imagine the scene.
1. Notice a WORSHIPFUL WOMAN who ANOINTS JESUS! (Mark 14:3) – “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.”
The word “precious” means costly, or a great price. Jesus deserves our BEST! Are you giving Him leftovers or your best? Time? Resources? Are you letting others stop you from getting to Jesus and giving to Jesus?
2. There will always be a MURMURING CROWD when you give to JESUS or even serve Him! (Mark 14:4–5) – “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.”
Interesting to note, the word for “murmur” is ἐμβριμάομαι (pronounced em-bree-MAH-oh-my), which means straitly charge, groan, deeply moved, sternly warned, or can even mean scolding. Get the picture. The self-righteous crowd scolded her. You can almost hear them shout, “Get away from Him, you dirty woman!” Little did they know that she was preparing the body of our Lord for His burial. So actually, they were spiritually blind, and yet they thought they were spiritually minded because, in their mind, it was a “waste” of money and could have been given to the poor. Sounds good, doesn’t it? The lesson for us to learn is anything spent on or for JESUS, with the right motives, will not go unrewarded. What have you spent on Jesus lately?
3. Just do what you can! (Mark 14:6–9) – “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.”
Isn’t that good? In other words, Jesus commended her sacrificial gift! He will do the same for you. By the way, JUST DO WHAT YOU CAN! Stop worrying about what you can’t do—DO WHAT YOU CAN!
Conclusion: This narrative description of the Anointing of Jesus prior to His crucifixion gives tremendous insight on how He views our sacrificial giving to Him. While others—even family—may see it as a “waste,” JESUS CHRIST is honored by our gifts of love. What will you give Him today for giving His all for you?
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
