SDWSC

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head, as he sat at table. But when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “why this waste?” For this ointment might have been sold for a large sum, and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring the ointment on my body she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this Gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Mark 14:3-9 gives one of many accounts of Mary as she came and annointed Jesus with the preciouse ointment. I go to a goup called MOPS. (Mother's of Preschoolers) and yesterday, I heard a lesson on this story and a perspective I had never seen. In one account, she annoints his head, in another, his feet. She most likely did both, but it was seen from different view points and recorded in the Gospels.

So last night, I sat down and read all of the accounts and was so blessed by this woman's love for Jesus and His obvious love for her. There was an Alabaster Box/Jar- The Chanel Number 5 of her day. Worthy of a years wages and once the jar was broken, there was no way to close it. So all of it was spilled out that day. A Humble Woman- She knew she was out of place, but out of love, came boldly to Jesus. A Judgmental Crowd- Passing off their lack of understanding of her worship and her true Value to Christ, they mocked her gift and looked over their own greedy hearts by accusing her of being wasteful. A Protective and Grateful Savior- He knew where he was headed in two short weeks, and knew that she was preparing him.

SDWSC- She Did What She Could - Mark 14:9

Passing through the Crowd of men, this woman was out of place. Ignoring the questioning eyes, she quickened her steady pace. Clutching a treasured gift, her hands began to tremble. She would do what she came to do, it really was that simple.

The room seemed to ever widen, with every step she took. So she dropped her eyes to the floor, to avoid each questioning look. The smells of the hall were rising, the conversation louder still. Making her feet continue, took every bit of her will.

Finally she made it, to the feet of the one she sought. She opened her mouth to silence, for all her words were caught. In that moment the room, fell as silent a her voice. Before her sat the Savior and she knew she had no choice. While eyes were on her offering, she broke the priceless gift. Then with trembling hand, her ointment she would lift.

As long as it was silent, the fragrant oil would flow. The importance of this moment, only Christ could know. Their eyes would meet for a moment, then the crowd began to speak. As accusers began to yell, she began to weep. But Jesus rebuked them softly, never looking away. "This one has done a good work, and will be remembered from this day." Still dripping from her anointing, He spoke to the silent few. Reminding them with Authority, "This Woman Did What She Could Do."

I imagine those few weeks later, as He's dying on the cross. The ones who claimed to love him, had turned away and were lost. But as he dropped his head in surrender, a bead of sweat ran down his face. And the sweet aroma from her offering, mixed with the aroma of Grace. In this total darkness, as He died for me and you. He thought of the sweet anointing, from one who Did What She Could Do.