Holy Wednesday
Holy Week Reflections: Laid-down Love...
The gospel of John tells us that Mary of Bethany anointed the feet of Jesus at the house of her brother Lazarus (just before his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and six days before Passover) with a costly oil she had been saving for this very purpose—the first preparation for His burial (Jn 12:1-7). It provoked Judas, who saw it as a great waste. The gospels of Matthew and Mark tell us of a woman who anointed Jesus at Simon the leper’s house (also in Bethany), but this time pouring the expensive nard over His head—it is likely that she had heard of Mary’s radical act and was moved to make her own sacrifice. This happens three nights before his burial. We’re told the disciples now all took issue. In each account, the alabaster jars of oil are described as being of great value, worth an entire year’s wages. Jesus defended both acts and described the excessive offering as beautiful. It was liquid laid-down love, fully poured out without regard for the personal cost. Jesus let such “beautiful waste” happen for many reasons, but one was because He knew how good it was for the soul of the giver.
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No matter how much we give up or pour out unto Jesus, we can never give more than what we will gain. In His exquisite kingdom, when we release, we receive. When we yield, there’s a greater yield. When we die, we live. Jesus loved Mary and this woman so much to allow for this great sacrifice that incensed and confounded many, even being the final straw that provoked Judas to conspire against Him. The women had to know that their acts would be judged, motives questioned. But they focused their love, worship, and obedience solely on Jesus.
“And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” -Jesus (Mark 14:9)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, make me a laid-down lover, ready to pour out anything of value in me unto You. Help me to have laser focus in my devotion to You, not counting any cost as worthy of comparison to the great gain and precious prize of You.