The Cost and Fragrance of Worship

By Danny Saavedra

“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked. ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.’ Aware of this, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’”—Matthew 26:6–13 (NIV)

The story of Jesus being anointed in Bethany carries so much weight when we know its full context. Here’s what we know. First, this anointing is recorded in Mark 14:1–11, Matthew 26, and John 12. What’s notable about this that’s often missed, is that Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11). A few weeks later, Jesus returns to Bethany (John 12) the day before riding into Jerusalem for Passover—six days before His crucifixion and burial.

In today’s passage, a dinner in Jesus’ honor takes place at Simon’s house, a former leper, just after He resurrected Lazarus. (Simon was likely a relative or close friend of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.) Mary, Lazarus’ sister, takes about 12 ounces (a full soda can) of pure imported spikenard oil valued at around 300 denarii (approximately $60,000 today) and begins anointing Jesus’ head (Matthew 26:7), then His feet, and then wipes His feet with her hair (John 12:3). It would have been extremely rare for a woman in that era to own something so valuable, so some commentators assert that the jar of perfume was a family heirloom, which would add sentimental value to the perfume’s monetary value.

What was her motivation? It’s likely a combination of 1) overwhelming love, gratitude, and devotion to the One who raised Lazarus from the dead, and 2) as Matthew 26:12 and Mark 14:8 indicate, Mary had listened to Jesus’ teachings and had an idea of what was about to happen to Him. Jesus even says that she’s anointing Him in preparation for His burial.

In John 12 we see that Judas—the keeper of the money who was also a thief—likely grumbled to the disciples about it, causing them to become indignant, and then “harshly” rebukes Mary. But Jesus corrects Judas and the others and commends Mary’s actions. One commentator states, “His comments were an indirect revelation of His deity, for the only commandment that is more important than loving our neighbors is the commandment to love God.”

Listen, there will always be moments when we must give of ourselves to care for the needs of others (we’re commanded throughout Scripture to care for the needy and vulnerable). Those moments will be ample because there’s no shortage of vulnerable people around us, but nothing can supersede our intimacy and devotion to Jesus.

This act by Mary is the essence of this gospel’s key message and exemplifies the pure fragrance of true discipleship: We are to hold nothing back from Jesus, submit, surrender, and sacrifice all to Him, pour it all out before Him, and go from there. And listen, when we give what we value to our Creator, He receives it gladly and uses it for His glory. How do we know this? Matthew 26:13 (NIV) and Mark 14:9 (NIV) both tell us: “Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told.”

Pause: Why did Jesus tell the disciples that Mary’s actions were correct? What does this tell us about Him and about following Him?

Practice: Sometimes, like Judas and the disciples here, we can either hold something back from Jesus or refuse to submit to certain scriptural truths under the pretense of righteous actions, or we can criticize others for it. Ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal these areas. You may already know what they are. If so, repent and submit to Him in these and all areas of your heart and life. I know it takes time and won’t happen overnight, but I implore you to take the first step of submission!

Pray: Jesus, I know it’s right to give you my first, my best, and my all. You’re worthy of it all. Help me to not hold anything back from You, to not live with any false righteousness or pretense about why I’m holding something back from You. Help me to discern and walk in step with Your Spirit in all things and not be swayed by outside voices or distracted by trying to work for You. Instead, let me be found in You and then be used by You as You work in me. Amen.