In Mark 14 we see a response that Jesus describes as “such a good thing.” This response, from a woman whose name is not given to us here, becomes for us a powerful picture of just how much Jesus is worth, and the kind of response that he deserves.
While Jesus is in Bethany, a woman comes to him and pours an alabaster flask of ointment on his head. You see, it was customary in this culture to anoint the head of a noble guest with oil as a symbol of hospitality and respect.
But something much deeper is going on here. This alabaster flask was much more costly than normal oil. People would us alabaster bottles to store the most costly ointments, in containers with long necks, which would then be broken and poured out all at once. These kinds of ointments were used to anoint the body at the burial of a loved one. Commentators guess that she was saving this ointment for her own burial, or the burial of a close family member. Verse 5 says that this ointment was worth a year’s wages.
And it is this ointment, this most precious of her possessions, that she breaks open and pours out on Jesus. She lavishes her cherished treasure on Jesus. She gives no thought to decorum or proper etiquette or if there might be a better time to do this: her only desire is to give of herself with no reserve or holding back of any kind.
Notice the response of the disciples. They immediately are annoyed, and they say, “What a waste. This could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus immediately turns it back on them, letting them know that her response was right.
Jesus says, wherever the gospel is proclaimed, the story of what she has done will be told as well.
Why is this event so significant to Jesus, so significant that he says that it will always be remembered? Two reasons:
First, as Jesus said, it symbolizes his preparation for his burial. Jesus is ready to die for the sins of the world.
Second, this act of self-giving on the part of the woman represents the proper response to Jesus: unabashed, joyful surrender.
You can tell a lot about what a person values by their actions and their attitude. Look at the difference in the attitude of the disciples to the ointment and the woman. By their actions, the disciples were saying, “Jesus, you’re not worth that much. This expensive ointment was wasted on you.” Through her actions, the woman was saying, “all I want to do is give my most precious possession to you. This is all I have to give, and you are worth it.”
What do your actions say about what Jesus is worth to you? What do your priorities say about what Jesus is worth to you? If a person looked at your life, how you spent your time, hard you work to keep relationship with him vibrant and thriving, how much you sacrifice for Christ, how would they conclude that Jesus is very valuable to you? Or would they conclude that Jesus is just marginal to your life?
What is Jesus worth to you?
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