The Worship that was Called a Waste Part I

A couple of weeks ago, I was reading the account of the anointing at Bethany in Matthew 26:6-16. I found it significant that every gospel writer includes the story of a woman anointing Jesus with costly perfume.

While three accounts seem to record the same event and Luke records a different one, all the writers highlight the commendable sacrifice and extravagant devotion.

And yet in every account this sacrifice is scrutinized.

Here’s what the text says in Matthew’s account:

While Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman approached him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. She poured it on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw it, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. This might have been sold for a great deal and given to the poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman?…” (Matthew 26:6-10a)

This woman (according to John 12, probably Mary the sister of Lazarus) seized the moment to worship the Lord with what she had to give: an anointing with a very expensive perfume.

Her worship was considered a waste to the disciples.

That’s what struck me most this time.

As I was reading the familiar story, questions weighed on my heart.

After breaking that jar, was this woman gripped with regret? Did she second-guess her sacrifice when the disciples voiced their scrutiny?

Jesus’s words gave me a hint of this tension: “Why are you bothering this woman?”

I wonder if she might have for a moment…but not for long.

When others saw waste, Jesus saw worship. When the disciples brought condemnation, Jesus brought commendation. Here’s how Matthew continues with the account:

She has done a noble thing for me. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me. By pouring this perfume on my body, she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her. (Matthew 26:10b-13)

I have a few days’ worth of thoughts on this account that I hope to post next week, but I’ll leave you with these questions for today:

Have you ever sacrificed something out of an overflow of your love for Jesus and received criticism for it?

Have you received a redirecting or suggesting of how you could have used your resources… your time, money, or energy… in a better way? If so, did you have any regrets?

We all want to identify with Mary here, but the truth is that we’ve probably all been just like the disciples, too, quickly evaluating the offering of a brother or sister in Christ.

Have you ever inwardly rolled your eyes at someone demonstrating an exuberant expression of worship at church? Have you ever quietly judged how someone gave of their time or money to the Lord?

This morning I’m asking myself these questions, and maybe they’ll help you, too.

So today, let’s consider not only what we have to offer, but also honor what others bring to Him in love.