Mark 14:3

New International Version

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

For Meditation

She had sat with Jesus and listened intently to Him in her home. No one ever fed her with pure spiritual nourishment. She knew Him as the Resurrection and the Life when He raised Lazarus, her brother, from the dead (Jn. 11:1-44). How could it be that the Son of God would favor her so much?

So, this time around, when Jesus came to dinner at the house of Simon, the Leper (Mk. 14:3), it was her turn to give to Him, and giving, she did. Mary gave her best, for nothing was too expensive to spend on Jesus—and nothing did she hold back. Mary brought her alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard as her sacrifice, pouring it on the head of the Master, whose crucified body may not receive the honor of rich embalmment but a refuse dump. Can anybody doubt that Mary may have known how Jesus would die since she had so intimately received from Him in her conversations?

The disciples snorted at her. A wasted opportunity, they said. They could have better served the poor with the proceeds from the perfume. You see how hypocritical we can be when we find fault with the actions of others. We are never holier than such times, but it is all fluff—a selfish display of love and care for the needy. John points to Judas Iscariot as the lead accuser.

That is what we become in our pretentious obedience because it feeds the flesh and pumps our ego. The question is, will we do what we suggest to others when given the opportunity?

What has Jesus done for you? Where is your alabaster jar of expensive perfume to honor Him? Does Christ deserve your best? Since you cannot anoint Him as Mary did, how can you glorify Him among people?

Your heart is all He desires—willing and yielded to Him as an act of worship and fellowship with Him in His death and resurrection.

Will you give it to Him?