- Mark 14:3-9
“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 beforehand 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 memory of her.”
———————
While Jesus was dining in Bethany, a woman approached Him carrying an alabaster jar filled with pure nard, an extremely expensive perfume. Without hesitation, she broke the jar and poured it over Jesus’ head. Instead of being moved by her act of devotion, some people criticized her and asked, “Why was the ointment wasted like that?”
Why did they react that way?
Because the perfume was worth more than 300 denarii—roughly a year’s wages, which could be equivalent to $20,000–$50,000 today. To them, pouring it all out at once seemed irresponsible and wasteful.
But what looked like waste to others was worship to her.
This woman knew exactly how valuable the perfume was, yet she willingly poured it out for Jesus. She didn’t held back although her offering was costly, sacrificial, and deeply personal. She wasn’t concerned with the opinions of those around her; she simply wanted to honor Jesus with the best she had.
Sometimes our worship may not look the same as everyone else’s. The way God calls one person to serve, give, pray, or express devotion may be different from what others are used to seeing. Because it is unfamiliar, people may misunderstand it or even criticize it. Yet Jesus was not looking at the anything else but the woman’s heart.
A statement Jesus made was:
“She has done what she could.”
This reveals that God is not asking us to give what we do not have. He simply asks us to offer Him our all, but to offer what we have.
Reflection:
What is your alabaster jar? What is God asking you to surrender, pour out, or offer to Him? It may be your time, talents, comfort, reputation, dreams, or resources. What may be a waste in the eyes of a person could be worth something in Jesus’ view.
———————
Prayer:
Lord, help me to worship You without reservation. Give me the courage to pour out my best for You, regardless of what others think. Teach me to surrender everything at Your feet. May my life be a beautiful offering that brings You honor and glory. Amen.