A few days before the Lord Jesus was put to death, a supper was made for Him and His disciples in the house of a man named Simon. While they were eating, a woman came with a box, or flask, of choice oil and poured it on the head of Jesus.
To put oil on the head was a custom of the people, perhaps because of the heat and dust, and was a courtesy to a guest. Most often olive oil was used. Expensive oil, as the woman had, was used only by kings and rich men. Some present at this meal were indignant at what they called this “waste” and said the oil could have been sold for more than three hundred pence (the normal wage for about a year of work) and the money given to the poor.
A Beautiful Work
But the woman had a very special reason for using the rare oil, that was more than to honor Jesus as a guest, although that would have been a right use. Jesus Himself told her reason; He did not call it a waste, but a “good,” or beautiful, work, and said, “She is come aforehand to anoint My body to the burying” (vs. 8).
Jesus had plainly told them He must suffer and die, as was written by the prophets (Luke 24:44-4644And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: (Luke 24:44‑46)), yet none seem to have believed Him, except this woman. She understood He was giving Himself for her sins, as for all.
Oils and perfumes were used to show esteem for persons at death. She knew when the wicked men would take Jesus she could put no oil on Him, so she did it before. Her love and appreciation were a great contrast to the hatred of the men who were then planning to take His life. They would have sharp thorns hurt His head; she put on Him soothing oil, the best she could obtain.
The Lord’s Approval
The Lord Jesus was so pleased that there was one who believed Him when others did not understand or believe that He said, “Verily I say unto you [very important], Wheresoever this gospel [the story of Jesus] shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”
It is almost two thousand years since this loving act was done, and the story has been read and told many, many times, as Jesus said it should be. No one can now anoint the Lord Jesus with oil, but this story teaches that He is most honored when His words are fully believed and when His people value His death above all else.
The following verses show the use of oil as pleasing: Psa. 23:5; 92:10; 104:155Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Psalm 23:5)
10But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil. (Psalm 92:10)
15And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. (Psalm 104:15); Eccl. 9:88Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. (Ecclesiastes 9:8); Isa. 61:33To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3); Matt. 6:1717But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; (Matthew 6:17).
Further Meditation
1. Where else are special oils referred to in the Bible?
2. For more wise words on the general topic of worship, consider Christian Worship by W. Kelly.
3. You might find The Land and the Book by W. M. Thompson to be an excellent reference for cultural issues such as the one referred to in this chapter.