The Pilgrim Path---Mark 14: 3 – 10 

And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in her memory.”

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

“SHE HAS DONE A BEAUTIFUL THING TO ME”

Extravagant giving, all out service for Jesus Christ---may draw the ire of people at times. I would not claim to know the hearts of all folk---but having worked in multiple churches---and knowing the fabric of my own heart---I may grasp a few matters here. My own satisfaction with lukewarmness and mediocrity, would not find comfort around this woman’s full fledged love and devotion to Jesus. Why, she makes me ashamed. She must do something costly for the Savior. My---that does not go over well in an environment that always tells you--- to measure “what you give” ---by how much you keep for yourself. Well, several people scold the woman. You know---If Jesus has not corrected her---it probably would have been a good idea to hold your tongue---in this particular situation. But the judgmental find it hard to be quiet in almost any life episode. However---Jesus Christ states that the woman has performed a beautiful task: she’s anointed me for burial (The Cross is looming).

When you read the other Gospel accounts, you find that Judas is one of the individuals who was supposedly bothered by this woman’s extravagant giving. Turns out, he was only upset because he was a thief---and liked to steal from the apostolic purse. Wow---so close to ultimate reality---and yet ruined! During this Holy Week we have to contemplate the fact that all sorts of people are “in” Churches---who are yet, outside of Christ. We pray this does not happen to any of our loved ones and friends…in Church--- yet lost…

From John Duncan: We must first give ourselves to Christ before he will accept anything else from us…But something goes before that: we must first receive him.

Grace & Peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason