Anointing the Lamb

The Word

Matthew 26:6–12 NIV

6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you,  but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

Tell about the young man who tried to do the right thing always and everything he could keep every one happy.

One person said he was a creep for being so nice,

another complained because it wasn’t down how they thought it should be done,

a third complained because he gave too much

another because they felt it was not enough.

The recipient thanked God for answering their prayer.

You cant please everyone and there is always someone there to complain about something.

So keep following Jesus and aiming to please Him and you will be right where you need to be.

This past week I got to pray with the Rev… He prayed that I would come see him.

It is two days before the passover meal.

The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4: Matthew–Acts b. Complaint (26:6–13)

This anointing of Jesus at Bethany is also recorded by Mark (14:3–9) and John (12:2–8). It is not to be confused with the one in

Matthew 26:6 NIV

6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,

We don’t know who Simon the leper is but it has been assumed by some scholars that he was probably a well-known person who had been cured by Jesus.

Either way he is not the main focus in this text but is indeed a faithful steward of his home as he hosts Jesus and his disciples.

Matthew 26:7 NIV

7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

First thing I want to look at is the reaction to her offering. I will tell you now, when you are whole heartedly giving an offering to the Lord there is no such thing as a waste.

It is all His!

Many years ago I was chastised by an unnamed person very close to me about my giving at church when I was so poor and trying to make ends meet. I had to ignore them with great ferver because what they did not know that in my heart during that hard season, I was being asked if I trusted the Lord to provide with my provisions.

Guess what, we never went hungry.

The voiced objection is soundly based on concern for the poor. Although almsgiving was encouraged at all times, there was a special emphasis on giving to the poor during Passover week.

They sounded very spiritual and like good stewards of things.

Matthew 26:10–12 NIV

10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

“The poor you have with you always” is by no means a cynical, anti-utopian statement but a simple recognition that giving to the poor is an ongoing obligation, not one that has to be done at the right time or not at all. Without knowing it, the woman has performed the superior “good work” by preparing his body for burial at the right time.

There is discussion amongst scholars about if she knew this, or if she was anointing Him to be King, or if she was just doing this out of love.

I personally feel that the act of love covers all the other reasonings and is ultimately the core of the action.

My Take home question is

Are you willing to give to the Lord what others may call foolish? Are you willing to give it all for the eternal or are you attached to things that are temporal?

Communion

Modern English Version Chapter 26

26 *As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take and eat. This is My body.”

27 Then He took the cup, and after He gave thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you. 28 *For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.