Words about the Word - Russell Scott - Albany Church of Christ
MARY’S PRECIOUS OINTMENT
We read in Mark 14:3-9, “And while He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. For the poor you always have with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. And truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, that also which this woman has done shall be spoken of in memory of her.” (Read also the parallel accounts recorded in Matthew 26:6-13 & John 12:1-9). John’s account tells us that this unnamed woman was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Jesus and His disciples were guests in the home of Simon the leper. Simon was probably a close friend, neighbor, or distant relative to Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Notice that Martha was serving the meal in Simon’s home (John 12:2). “Pure nard” was an expensive perfume oil which was imported from a plant from India. It was sealed in an almost clear marble jar, or vial made of alabaster. For the perfume to be opened, the long neck of the jar had to be broken, thus making it necessary to use the entire contents. Mary’s jar of precious ointment was worth over three hundred denarii. A single denarius was worth one day’s wages for a common laborer (cf. Matthew 20:2). This ointment was worth almost a whole single year’s wages. Judas was the ringleader who stirred up the others to complain to Jesus about such a waste of money (John 12:3-5). Mary’s anointment of Jesus with this very precious and costly ointment of perfume was a very extravagant and sacrificial act of love and gratitude expressed in honor to the One who had raised her brother Lazarus back to life from the dead (John 11:1-46).
Mary teaches us the importance of seizing the opportunities that are presented before us because there are some things in life that can only be done once.
Mary’s anointment of Jesus shows us that certain things must be done when the opportunity arises, or they can never be done at all. Jesus teaches us that there are some things that we can do at any time. He said, “The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have Me” (Mark 14:7). But there are some things which can only be done once; and to miss the opportunity to do them is to miss the opportunity forever. Jesus said, “Mary did what she could” (Mark 14:8). Mary had seized the opportunity presented before her to express her love and gratitude to Jesus while He was still alive.
In the words of George W. Childs, “Do not keep the alabaster jar of your love and friendship sealed up until your family, friends, or loved ones are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them, and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier.”
Mary teaches us the importance of seizing the opportunities that are presented before us because there are some things that can only be done once. See also Galations 6:10.
Mary teaches us that the fragrance of a lovely deed last forever (Mark 14:6-9). The Bible says that the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume in John 12:3. Jesus said that Mary “had done a beautiful thing to Him”, or “a good deed” (Mark 14:6).
He also said, “She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. And truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, that also which this woman has done shall be spoken of in memory of her” (Mark 14:8, 9).
Everywhere the New Testament has been carried, this woman’s story has been told. Mary’s good deed has been told in every known language. Mary teaches us that the fragrance of a lovely deed lasts forever.
Like Mary, we too, must learn to seize the opportunities in life that are presented before us because some things can only be done once, and to miss that opportunity to do a lovely deed is to miss that opportunity forever. People will remember the acts and expressions of love, gratitude, compassion, and kindness that we have shown toward them, because the fragrance of a lovely deed lasts forever.
By Russell E. Scott
Albany Church of Christ
