I wrote out these thoughts after an exceptionally stressful day of work.  I was thrown several curve balls while trying to do my job at a frantic pace, and I just couldn’t seem to field any of them efficiently.  I was already exhausted from trying to do all of the extra “end of year” work that needed done, and by the end of the day, I felt like I simply had nothing left in me.

I got home, shortly after 8:00, and took inventory of the refrigerator.  We had enough left-overs to provide for family needs.  Relieved, I sat down alone in the living room, cuddled up with a blanket, my Bible, journal, and laptop.  My passage for this week has been Mark chapter 14:1-10, titled “Jesus anointed at Bethany”.   That night the words “they rebuked her harshly” stung my spirit.  Matthew tells us that it was Jesus’ very own disciples that rebuked her.

a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.  Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.     Mark 14:3-5

[This passage is rich in many ways.  It is one I recently reviewed as I tried to understand the apparent “conflict” in the “anointings” in the accounts of Matthew/Mark vs. John, as well as the place of the account in Luke that appears to be early in Jesus’ ministry.  While I recognize that there are diverse opinions about this, I agree with those who view John’s account as a “second anointing” six days before the Passover, and the Matthew/Mark accounts as the “third anointing” (two days before the Passover).  I address these passages as if they are three individual women, although I allow that they could in fact be one woman.  It makes no impact on the integrity of scripture if I fail to come to the correct conclusion.  I think there is a beauty and logic in the way that these anointings, reflect the three anointings of David recorded in the scripture (1 Samuel 16:13, 2 Samuel 2:4, 2 Samuel 5:3)]

The first occasion, “a sinful woman”, is scorned only silently, but Jesus confronts the judgmental thoughts in the heart of his host, Simon the Pharisee.  Jesus then publicly elevates her heart of worship above Simon’s half-hearted welcome.  (To be fair, it is possible that Simon was earnestly evaluating the identity of Jesus, but was still caught up in trappings of religiosity of his time.)  After publicly commending her, Jesus speaks to her, and into her, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”  Jesus takes her shame, and gives her peace!

The second account (John 12), involves Mary of Bethany, who was known to Jesus.  Jesus had previously honored her desire to be close to him, to learn from him, and to worship him.  He had raised her brother, Lazarus, from the dead; but not until both she and her sister, Martha, were there to witness the event.  Given the fact that Martha is serving, it is likely that this event takes place in their home.  Everyone knows that this family is close to Jesus, and perhaps that is why it appears that only Judas has the audacity to publicly criticize Mary’s act of worship.  Jesus’ response is sharp, “Let her alone.  It was intended . . .” The implication that the “intention” was that of the Father was unmistakable.  This is not a point to be debated.  Mary is vindicated.  Jesus removes limitations from her, and gives her freedom!

In the third account, the woman’s identity remains anonymous (Matthew 26, Mark 14).  This event takes place in the home of a man known as “Simon the Leper”.   Whatever the motivation, the disciples collectively disapproved of her manner of her worship, and this time they rebuked her directly – harshly.

It is interesting that this is also at least the third time that Jesus rebukes is disciples for rebuking others – once when they stopped someone from casting out demons in Jesus’ name because ‘he was not one of us’- Jesus replied “Do not stop him” – Mark 9; once when they rebuked people for bringing children to Jesus – Jesus replied “Do not hinder them” – Mark 10.  Now Jesus repeats himself “Leave her alone!  Why are you bothering her?”  Whenever Jesus asks ‘why’ it is a call to look deep inside the heart and find the root of an action or emotion.  Jesus then further elevates her act of worship, “She has done a beautiful thing to me . . .  She did what she could . . . wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”  Jesus took the sting of rejection, and gave her a legacy!

What is it that makes us judge each other so harshly, especially when it comes to our service to and worship of God?  What makes us think that we know best how someone else should worship God?   While I was reading, I thought of people that I know and love have felt the sting of judgment, rejection, and even shame – all at the hands of followers of Jesus, when they were simply trying to draw close to Jesus.  These things bother me, and I must confess that I have been on both sides of the judgment seat.

How do we anoint the feet of Jesus today?  I love that Revelation 5:8 describes bowls of incense that are “the prayers of God’s people”.  Incense, anointing oil, and perfume were very much the same thing – one was burned as an offering to God, and the others were applied to the body for cleansing, healing, or consecration.  It is an awesome thought to think that when we pray over people we are anointing the body of Christ, much in the same way these women did.  Our prayers are our moment to come before God, with our tears, our shame, and our rejection.  As we pour out our hearts to him, he receives our worship.  But as he gazes upon us, he sees our need, and he gives lavishly to us.

After re-reading each of these passages last night, I began to review various artist renderings of these events.  Such beautiful images of these simple acts of pure worship.  As I turned off my light, and went to bed, these images and words continued to flood my mind.  The words of Jesus were powerful.  Combined with the images of gifted artists, they brought a stillness to the frantic chaos of my mind.  What commendation Jesus gave for the simplest acts of worship.  “She has done a beautiful thing . . . She has done what she could . . .  Go in peace.”  I slept peacefully that night.