MARK 14:3-9

MARK 14:3-9

“The house of Simon the leper.” We know nothing as to this man, but the presumption is that he had been a leper and was cleansed by Jesus. The “woman having an alabaster box of ointment” was Mary, of whose act of devotion we also read in John 12. She considered nothing too precious for Jesus, upon whose head, and feet also (as John tells), she poured the spikenard as He reclined at the table. It was a beautiful tribute to the One whom she recognized as the promised Messiah. 

“Why was this waste of the ointment made?” asked some. Judas, we know from John’s account, was the prime spirit in this murmur of discontent. It indicated how little he and the rest understood of the events soon to take place, though Jesus had foretold them again and again. Mary anointed His body beforehand for its burial (v. 8).

“It might have been sold for … three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor.” The Roman penny, or denarius, was a silver coin of a little less value than our twenty-five cent piece, but it had far greater purchasing power, and was the ordinary daily wage of a laboring man in those times; so that, according to the computation of Judas, the ointment represented a full year’s wages, if the sabbath and special feast days be omitted. This seemed too much to lavish on Jesus, but true love knows no limit of what it delights to give and do for the Beloved. The suggestion that it might rather have been used in almsgiving did not mean, however, that Judas cared for the poor. We are told it was because he was a thief and kept the bag and bare away what was put therein (John 12:6, literal rendering).

“Let her alone; … she hath wrought a good work on Me.” Jesus always appreciated every evidence of sincere affection, and He placed a high value upon Mary’s act of devotion. Nothing is wasted which is lavished on Jesus our Lord. He deserves the best we have. He gave all for us. Mary’s act of worship was an apt illustration of what we read in the Song of Solomon (1:12). She recognized in Jesus Israel’s true King.

“Ye have the poor with you always … Me ye have not always.” It is ever right and proper to minister to the needy, who can always be found if we desire to help them. Such ministry is commendable at all times. But Jesus was about to leave them, and Mary seemed to realize this.

“She hath done what she could.” There can be no higher commendation than this. All cannot do great things for Christ, but it is well if each one does what he can as unto the Lord Himself.

“Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached … this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” Mary had no thought that day that her kindly expression of love for the rejected King was to make her name known throughout the entire world; yet so it was, for the story is told in three of the Gospels and has been carried throughout every land where Christ is preached.

In these three friends of Jesus we have illustrated three things that should characterize all believers in Him. In Martha we see service, which is at its best when free from worry and anxiety and done as unto the Lord Himself. In Mary we see discipleship and worship. She delighted to take the place of a learner at the feet of Jesus and to pour out her choicest treasure upon Him. Lazarus, who sat at table with Him (John 12:2), speaks of communion or fellowship. Blessed it is when all these characteristics are seen in any one individual!