Alabaster jar, broken. Pure nard poured out. On the head of Jesus.
The woman, unnamed, anoints Him with exquisite perfume.
Extravagant. Expensive.
And some in the room? Indignant. Scolding over such a waste.
But the anointed One surprises.
Confounds.
Anointed
He comes to her defense. Honors and protects her.
Calls this act “a noble thing” (Mark 14:6).
And explains, “She has done what she could; she has anointed my body in advance for burial” (Mark 14:8).
His burial?
Did that catch their attention? Give them pause?
In memory
Then Jesus says something so beyond what they can comprehend at the moment.
Prior to His death, burial, and resurrection. Before the Great Commission.
He says, “Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her” (Mark 14:9).
The gospel? In the whole world? And, by the way, this act recounted in memory of…her?
Service
I remember His prophecy over the years. Whenever I share with women in various countries and contexts.
Telling this story of a woman who served Jesus.
A woman misunderstood.
Scorned. Rebuked. Shamed.
Yet, extraordinarily honored. By our Lord Jesus Christ. For her service.
So, to this day, we’re still talking about her sacrificial act.
Honor
“Why would she do that? Pouring expensive perfume on his head?”
“How uncomfortable. Inappropriate. Don’t you think?”
They wonder. And question.
But still they’re drawn to our strong and compassionate Lord.
Savior of the world.
The Anointed One who brings honor instead of shame.
What about you?
What stands out to you about this story? What do you learn about the Lord’s way in this?
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3 replies on “Anointed One”
A precious, costly gift to the Gift of all gifts–precious, costly, beyond price!
This is such an impactful perspective, especially for my context where conformity is demanded and people are very mindful of what to say and do out of fear of how they’ll be viewed by others. Thank you 🙂
I heard a pastor recount a story of a college initiation of a garlic shampoo and the lingering smell for DAYS. He imagined that this perfume remained fragrant on Jesus even during his torture & crucifixion – painting a vivid image for me that remains in my heart.