Psalter:431:1,4 - 386:4 - 388:1,2,3,4,5 - 157:1,2 - 147:4,5 - 426:1,7. Scripture: Mat. 26:1-16

A GOOD WORK WROUGHT UPON JESUS FOR HIS BURIAL

1. Its motivation

  • Jesus is in Bethany; at dinner in the house of Simon the Leper.Blessed mealtimes where Christ is in the midst.
  • Mary pours ointment on His head, body (Mk 14:12) and feet (Jn 12:3); extraordinary act!
  • Reason 1: Her heart is filled to overflowing with love to Jesus.
  • Reason 2: Mary has been lead by Christ to a deeper knowledge of Who He is.
  • Consider previous encounters
  • Mary deliberately chose to sit at Jesus’ feet (Lk 10). Do you?
  • Deep trial of death of her brother.

Revealed the great reverence she had for Christ.

Showed her immature faith.

Caused her to learn to know Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life.

2. Its rejection

  • Judas and disciples unjustly condemn her as being a waster and depriving the poor.
  • Lesson:We ought to be careful with our words!
  • The devil will do whatever he can to divide the children of God.

3. Its acceptance

  • Mary is distressed and feels helpless.
  • Jesus takes up her cause (Matt. 26:10-13):
  • He knows her heart, her faith and her love.
  • He praises Mary openly (cf.Mk 14:8).
  • Jesus shows here His humanity: the eternal Son of God had to assume the human nature to satisfy all God’s offended attributes.
  • There is a righteousness outside of ourselves, with God: Christ our righteousness (Phil 3:9).
  • Mary’s deed must have been a great comfort in Christ’s suffering here upon earth.
  • Jesus accepts Mary’s deed: this anointing was done as a preparation for His imminent death.

4. Its effect

  • Jesus’ words contain a two-fold prophecy:
  • the spreading of the gospel to the whole world (cf. Acts 2:21);
  • that wherever the gospel message is preached in the world Mary’s deed will be mentioned.
  • In a deeper sense, it is a memorial of the work of Christ in her heart.
  • The contrast: A memorial of disgrace to Judas
  • An earnest warning to us! (Lk 8:18)
  • Observe Jesus’ willingness to die.
  • He despises the shame for the glory that is set before Him.

1