Mark 14:1-91After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. 2But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. 3And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. (Mark 14:1‑9)
A few days before the Lord Jesus was put to death, a supper was made for Him with 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; and expensive oil, as the woman had, 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 300 pence (over $40) and the money given to the poor.
But the woman had a very special reason for using the rare oil, more than to honor Jesus as a guest, ahough that would have been a right use, and Jesus Himself told her reason: He did not call it a waste, but a “good,” or beautiful work, and said,
“She is come a forehand 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 21:44-46); yet none seem to have believed Him, only this woman. She understood He was ging Himself for her sins, as for all.
Oils and perfumes were used to show esteem for persons at death, and she knew when the wicked men would take Jesus she could put no oil on Him, so she did it before. Her love and areciation were a great contrast to the hatred of the men who were then plaing to take His life. They would sharp thorns hurt His head, she put on Him soothing oil, the best she could obtain.
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 over 1900 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 bieved, and when His people value His death above all else.
These verses show the use of oil as pleasing: Psalms 23:55Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Psalm 23:5); Psalms 92:1010But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil. (Psalm 92:10); Psalms 104:1515And 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); Fcc. 9:8; Isaiah 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).
ML 07/16/1944