MARY ANOINTS JESUS' FEET

This story appears in all four Gospels, and occupies a total of 46 verses. Truly it is important, therefore, and ought to be given our careful attention and meditation. (Some would dispute that the accounts all refer to the same incident. I assume that they do, for lack of sufficient reason to think otherwise.)

Body

I. THE STORY ITSELF, FROM THE FOUR GOSPELS (Matthew 26:6-16; Mark 14:3-11; Luke 7:36-50; John 12:1-11).

   A. At Bethany (Matthew, Mark, John).

   B. House of Simon the Leper, eating (Matthew, Mark). Simon a Pharisee (Luke). Martha served, Lazarus and others present (John).

   C. She brought an alabaster box of ointment (Matthew, Mark, Luke). It was of spikenard (Mark, John) and of a pound weight (John).

   D. She poured it on Jesus' head (Matthew, Mark), anointed His feet (Luke, John), and wiped His feet with her hair (Luke, John). The ointment scent filled the house (John).

   E. The act was noticed by the disciples, who had indignation (Matthew); by the Pharisee who was host, and grumbled (Luke); and by Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who also grumbled (John).

   F. The disciples asked why the waste, and said it should have been used to help the poor (Matthew, Mark); Judas said the same, but spoke as a thief who was treasurer (John); and the Pharisee grumbled that if Jesus were a prophet He would have known the reputation of the woman who performed the act (Luke).

   G. Jesus responded to the disciples (Matthew, Mark), to Simon (with a story, Luke), and to Judas (John).

   H. Judas bargained for 30 pieces of silver and sought opportunity to betray Jesus (Matthew, Mark); those at the meal marveled that Jesus could forgive sins (Luke); many Jews in the city came to see Jesus and Lazarus, some plotted to kill Lazarus whom Jesus had raised (John).

II. THE REACTIONS TO THE WOMAN'S ACT OF KINDNESS: OUR CHIEF CONCERN.

   A. Judas, a straight-out thief, wanted money, not mercy (John). Some like this today.

   B. The disciples, confused and foolish, were more interested in pious talk than plain action (Matthew). Many Christians fall into this trap.

   C. Simon Pharisee, self-righteous and convicted of sin, was more concerned with selective and outward orthodoxy than heart-felt repentance, forgiveness and love. Too many Christians follow this bad example.

        1. The Pharisees were greatly concerned with ceremony (Matthew 15; 23:23).

        2. They were greatly concerned with external "morality" (Matthew 6).

        3. They were heavily burdened with an orthodox creed, but forgot unselfish living (James 2:14ff).

        4. Jesus stood in contrast to all this, telling the marvelous story recorded in Luke's Gospel on this occasion. (Luke's Gospel stresses Jesus as Savior and compassionate friend of man throughout.)

   D. Jesus, the Son of God, was tender and forgiving.

        1. The woman had brought the best she had.

        2. She did it for Jesus.

        3. She gave it personally.

Conclusion

The same incident drew varying responses from those present. The difference was not in what occurred, but in the hearts of those who saw it. You are as one of these participants. Decide which fits your own attitude, then purpose to be as Jesus if you are not already.

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