One of the greatest secrets of the universe is in Jesus’ words, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35) Do we give extravagantly to God or our leftovers? Let’s look at Mary’s anointing of Jesus in John 12:1-8.
“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.” (John 12:1-2 NKJV)
This is six days before the cross, and Jesus naturally turned to some of His dearest friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary. There is a contrast between two ladies who loved to give and Judas who loved to take.
“Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” (John 12:3 NKJV)
Have you ever desired to simplify and lighten the burden of having so many physical trappings? What is sitting around our lives that we could willingly and joyfully give away? Mary was naturally very thankful to Jesus for restoring the life of her brother Lazarus. Her lavish giving is a measure of her gratitude.
Mary’s perfume in a very expensive alabaster vase, was possibly about a litra, a Roman pound, around 12 oz, 350 ml, worth about 300 denarius, 300 day’s wages, a year’s income. Spikenard or nard was imported from the slopes of the Himalayas, a long, long way. How extravagant is our giving to Jesus?
Beautiful church buildings are a testimony to the generosity of people who love God. London’s Westminster Cathedral, Cologne’s Cathedral, Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral and the Salzburg Cathedral are treasures. Should they be sold to give to the poor? Among the Great Commandments the first is to love God. The second is to love our neighbor. Which of the two is exemplified by Mary anointing Jesus with outrageously expensive perfume?
“But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” (John 12:4-6 NKJV)
Judas Iscariot did not truly love Jesus. He feigned caring for the poor but had stolen money from the cash box. Many Christians are not obsessed by materialism and money but give generously to both God and the poor. Some Christians practice the spirit of the Old Testament tithing law, and are blessed by God for their generosity towards His kingdom. Some others are offended that it takes money to run a church. The spirit or principle of God’s laws on giving still applies. Do we give God the best we have, or second best?
Do we believe we are giving to a club or organization of mere human beings or to Jesus? Giving is a measure of our values, a measure of our love. Do we love things more than God? Do we see the blessing that comes when we get rid of things?
“But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.’ ” (John 12:7-8 NKJV)
The dead were often anointed with perfume to cover the smell of death. Jesus quoted the law about the poor.
"For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’" (Deuteronomy 15:11 NKJV)
Our obligation to the poor is clear, but we must not neglect our first love as did the church at Ephesus.
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5 NKJV)
This is also a description of modern liberal Christians, who have loved their neighbor, and pretended to love God but have not obeyed His will. Jesus commended Mary’s choice, to honor Jesus extravagantly, to obey the first of the two great commandments: love God first and neighbor second.
Here is an example of extravagant giving to our Lord, with permission and encouragement from Jesus. The one who criticized her generosity was a thief who focused only on the second great commandment. Most of us are not thieves, but perhaps not extravagantly generous in our love of the Lord. May we all learn to be a little more like Mary.
New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
