Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Job 29-31
     New Testament Reading: Mark 14

While he was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured it on his head. But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they began to scold her (Mark 14:3-5).

Jesus is within a few days of His death and Mark highlights the way different individuals responded to Him by placing three stories side by side. These events are not necessarily in chronological order with the surrounding verses, but Mark intentionally places them together to contrast the devotion, treachery, and obedience of His followers.

This first event most likely occurred on Saturday, preceding the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. John identifies the woman as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, who were also present at this meal (John 12:3). She lavishly anointed Jesus’ head with some very costly perfume, an expression of her sincere and total devotion to the Lord.

The expensive perfume was the equivalent of a year’s wages, and some guests thought this was a tremendous waste. Why hadn’t she sold the perfume and given the money to the poor? John says that Judas was the instigator, (John 12:4-5) and Matthew indicates that all the disciples, following Judas’ lead, were angry at Mary’s waste of a precious commodity (Matt. 26:8).

Jesus rebuked their murmuring. She had recognized her golden opportunity to pay this tribute to the Savior. This woman wanted to show kindness while she could. She might not be able to care for His body in death, so she would show her love while He was still alive. Out of her great love for her Lord, she performed this act of worship to Him.

Standing in sharp contrast to the love and devotion of Mary was the hatred and treachery of Judas. This disciple, who is understandably referred to last in the lists of the 12, was not a Galilean like the other disciples. It is clear that Judas had no spiritual interest in Jesus. He was attracted to Him because he expected Jesus to become a powerful religious and political leader. He saw great potential for power, wealth, and prestige through his association with Him.

The woman prized the Savior highly. Judas valued Him lightly. Though he had lived with the Lord Jesus for the past three years and had received nothing but kindness from Him, Judas now sneaked off to the chief priests with a guarantee to betray the Son of God into their hands.

Mark quickly contrasts Judas’ unfaithfulness with the obedience of two other disciples. Luke identifies these two as Peter and John (Luke 22:8). The disciples asked Jesus for directions on where to hold the Passover. He sent them to Jerusalem with specific instructions. Peter and John do not question the Lord nor make excuses. They willingly served as obedient servants and went into the city to fulfill their instructions to prepare the Passover meal.

It is wonderful to see responsive hearts putting themselves and their possessions at His disposal, contrasted against a greedy individual following the Lord only to satisfy his own selfish ambitions. These four people stand as examples for us to compare our lives. Do we show our love and devotion to God through our worship and our obedience in serving Him, or do we look to God to fill our self-centered aspirations and desires?