Matthew 26:6-16 (Please open your Bibles so that you can follow along)
Two weeks ago we have took a look at Jesus clearing the temple of the livestock marketplace and currency exchange bank that had been set up in the temple in order to profit from the sacrifices and offerings which would be given during the Passover festival.
At the same time we examined our own lives to see what Jesus might want to clear out of our lives since we are now the temples of the Holy Spirit.
And, last week we took a look at the Jewish leaders questioning Jesus about the source of His authority to do what He did in the temple.
And, last week we examined the authority or lack of authority Jesus has in each of our lives.
Are our homes, minds and hearts cleared of anything that is unpleasing to the Lord?
Does Jesus have the authority to get rid of anything in our home our mind and our heart which He does not find pleasing?
Today we will take a look at someone whose extravagant gift to Jesus was so remarkable that Jesus exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
So, let’s go ahead and read the Scripture for today Matthew 26:6-16
(Brief prayer)
Let’s examine this Scripture and try to put it into the perspective of the culture at that time.
This same event is repeated in Mark and John.
There is a similar event in Luke but the time is different, the location is different and the woman involved is different.
Also, in the event found in Luke the criticism does not come from the disciples but from the host Pharisee (not a leper or former leper) and the woman is described as a sinner and Mary the sister of Lazarus is never described as a sinner elsewhere in the Bible.
Matthew 26:6
“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper”
- During the Jewish festivals leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus we see Him consistently traveling between Jerusalem and Bethany as if Bethany is where His “hotel” or the place He is staying is located.
- On this occasion we see Jesus and His disciples at the home of Simon the Leper. Simon is no longer a leper and most likely was healed by Jesus Himself.
- If Simon were still a leper he would not be in a home in Bethany. Instead he would be living outside the village with other lepers and shouting, “Unclean! Unclean!” whenever a healthy person would get too close.
- Leviticus 13:45 – “The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.…”
- Here’s the amazing thing. Simon the Leper doesn’t get involved in the issue at all! If you’ve been healed of leprosy by the Messiah Himself you probably don’t feel that any gift is too extravagant for Him.
Matthew 26:7
“a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table.”
- In the account of this dinner in John we finally see the “woman” identified as Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus.
- Matthew and Mark tell that Mary poured the perfume over Jesus’ head while John reports that she poured the perfume over His feet.
- It is estimated that the alabaster jar contained about twelve ounces. That’s the same volume as your average soda can.
- There was plenty in that jar to anoint both Jesus’ head and His feet and actually in verse 12 Jesus says, “When she poured this perfume on My body …”
- With 12 ounces of nard perfume it must have saturated Jesus’ hair and His clothing and His feet.
- I wonder how long that aroma would have lasted on Jesus? Did the guards smell it when they were arresting Jesus and whipping Him and beating Him? Did the high priest and the Jewish council and Herod and Pilate smell it when they were interrogating Him? Did Simon of Cyrene smell it as he helped Jesus carry the cross? Did the soldiers who crucified Jesus and gambled for His clothing smell it as they carried His clothing home with them?
Matthew 26:8-9
“When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked. ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.’”
- How often in the Gospels do we see the disciples asking Jesus for some money so that they could give it to the poor? I don’t remember any except for this instance.
- In the account found in the Gospel of John, Judas Iscariot is pointed out as being the one leading this protest
Matthew 26:10-11
“Aware of this, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to Me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.’”
- Jesus is NOT dismissing the need to care for the poor. The care for the poor has been a constant theme in the Scriptures all through the Old Testament and it has been a major theme in all of Jesus’ teachings.
- Jesus is once again telling them that His time on earth is short.
Matthew 26:12
“When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.”
- Mary obviously believed that Jesus would soon be crucified and she is here giving Him an appropriate and abundant gift.
Matthew 26:13
“I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
There were seven different Mary’s in the New Testament:
- Mary the mother of Jesus
- Mary of Bethany
- Mary Magdalene (Mary of Magdala)
- Mary the mother of James and Joses
- Mary the wife of Clopas
- Mary the mother of John Mark
- Mary from Rome
There was a special connection between Jesus and this small family.
Listen to these verses from
John 11:1,2,5 NIV
“Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary … was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped His feet with her hair. Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”
Wouldn’t you love to have it recorded in the Holy Scriptures that Jesus loved you by name? What an honor! What an example she is for us!
Of course we know that Jesus loved His mother and cared for her up to the day of His death.
Do you know that you CAN be assured of Jesus’ love for you?
John 14:21 NIV
“Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him.”
Application:
- What gift is too extravagant for Jesus? Galatians 2:20
- Mary never tried to defend herself; Jesus defended her
- What was Mary doing? (worshiping)
Mary in her silent actions was worshiping the Savior! Everyone else in the room missed that moment. What a beautiful example of worship born out of love.
Is that kind of worship ever exhibited in your life?
If not, you need to ask yourself and I need to ask myself, why not?
Concluding thoughts and prayer.
