In Memory of Her

The anointing of Jesus described in Matthew 26 is one of the most touching events in the Gospels: “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” (Matt 26:6-7). This woman (Matthew leaves her unnamed) illustrates by her action what it means to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” the greatest commandment in the law (Matt 22:37).

Mark tells us that the worth of this oil was about 300 denarii, that is the yearly pay of a laborer. Alabaster resembles marble and the way to reach the perfume was to break the long thin neck of the flask. The disciples were indignant and thought that the woman wasted a very expensive substance made from fragrant spikenard and imported from India that could be sold, and the money given to the poor.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus cared for the poor. In this instance, however, the disciples did not recognize the value of this moment just before the crucifixion of Jesus. By pouring the perfume on Jesus’s body, the woman prepared him for his burial and anointed Jesus as King. She knew that this was not an ordinary day, but a moment that pointed to the greatest sacrifice of all time, the crucifixion of the Lord.

The death of Christ is the central moment of history. Past and future meet at this event, the culmination of God’s salvific plan to bring his creation back to himself. It is this act of atoning sacrifice that has made the second coming and the last judgment (25:31– 46) possible, an event that will allow any of us to enter eternity as the children of God.2

Jesus concluded this passage with a solemn word: “Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Matt 26:13). This verse reminds us of Mark 16:15: “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world believers will talk about this woman who anointed the Lord Jesus.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, today you reminded me of a woman who demonstrated her love to you by giving you her most precious possession. By anointing you, this woman crowned you as her King, her soon-to-be crucified King. Help me Lord, to follow her example every day of my life. Amen.

Peter Gräbe, Doctor Divinitatis, serves as professor for the Regent University School of Divinity.