A Beautiful Thing

In Mark 14:3-9 a woman (John tells us it is Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha) anoints Jesus with a precious ointment. This ointment was worth a year's wages (v.5)! Perhaps it was a family heirloom or security for old age. In just a few moments time it is all poured out on Jesus. Though those standing by call it a WASTE (v.4), Jesus calls it "a beautiful thing" (v.6).

Why was this anointing "beautiful"?

• Because it was LAVISH. It was VERY COSTLY (v.3). Mary gave the BEST that she had for Jesus. No leftovers, not the everyday stuff used for normal guests would suffice. Only the BEST she had. This kind of lavishness is beautiful.
• Because it was ALL POURED OUT on Jesus. Once the slender neck on this exquisite jar was broken to release its contents - ALL of its contents was poured on Jesus' head and feet. By this Mary showed the ultimate value that she placed on Jesus. There was no one else, nothing else in her life that was important enough to merit this once in a lifetime anointing - except Jesus.
• Because it DISREGARDED WHAT OTHERS THOUGHT if only it might pour its love on Jesus. Mary must have known she would face criticism for this unusual and lavish expression of love. The scolding came fast and furiously from those nearby, lead by Judas the disciple, betrayer, and thief. She wiped Jesus' feet with her hair - an amazingly HUMBLE act. I have read that a Jewish woman's hair was her glory. Mary humbles her glory, her pride, to wipe the FEET of her Lord.
• Because, as Jesus says in v.8, "she has anointed my body beforehand for burial." This act of lavish love was beautiful because it was sovereignly designed to prepare Jesus for His supreme act of sacrifice on the cross as the final and ultimate Lamb of God. While those around were planning his murder (vv.1-2), criticizing the one who loves Him (vv.3-9), and betraying Him (vv.10-11), Mary was "doing what she could" and spending her most precious possession to prepare Him for the cross.

How BEAUTIFUL is YOUR LOVE for Jesus?

• What has it cost you?
• Has it been lavish enough to draw criticism?

"O Lord, may our love for YOU, the BEAUTIFUL ONE, become more and more beautiful."