At chapter 14 there is a major change. All of Chapter 13 was a discussion of end-times events. Now, Mark tells us about the events that will lead up to the death of Jesus by crucifixion and his resurrection.

Let's look ahead at some of the events Mark tells us about . . .

"While he was in Bethany, (a) reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the (b) Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very (c) expensive perfume, made of pure nard. (d) She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head." v.3

The women is Mary

"Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." Jn 12:2-3

Now this was the same Mary that sat at the feet of Jesus listening to every word that Jesus said while her sister Martha was preparing the meal in the kitchen. Martha is always the picture of the active servant and Mary is always an illustration of spiritual devotion. Together, they teach us that times of devotion should result in action.

This was a very precious ointment made from the rare nard plant that came from the banks of the Ganges River in far-off India.

Used by kings and they used only a drop at a time.

"It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages." v.5

Could have been part of her dowry to be given when she was married.

Love is sometimes extravagant. When ordinary acts are not sufficient to express one’s feelings, it often prompts us to do something extreme.

Converts in the Wesleyan revival were converted from the gross sins of drunkenness, brawling, sloth, profanity, and adultery. In the joy of their redemption, they sang and shouted the praises of God and were ridiculed as “enthusiasts” by the hierarchy of the established church.

"Some of those present were saying indignantly (used to describe the snorting of horses) 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." v.4-5

“Why this waste of perfume?" v.4

"But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." Jn 12:4-6

The issue of extravagant expenditures.

Catholics use this verse to justify their extravagant and ornate cathedrals as if he took delight in incense and splendid decorations.

God is not pleased with the perfume but with the heart that prompted this act.

The criticism that sometimes comes to those of extreme devotion. "And they rebuked her harshly" v.5

Carnal people just don't get it. The underlining motives for such worship is so foreign to them.

The effect of Jesus' statement upon care for the poor.

"the money given to the poor" v.5

"The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me." Mk 14:7

The contrast is not between Jesus and the poor, rather it refers to that exact point in time, when he was physically present with them, just prior to his death. "you will not always have me." v.7

There is not much time left to do something like this towards me.

The Bible teaches that we are to always be generous towards the poor

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." Dt 15:11

"Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." v.6-9

"She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial." v.8

She had no idea his death and burial was so near. But she was moved by the Holy Spirit to do it.

Jesus knew that this was the exact time for his crucifixion, and declared that this anointing was a fit preparation for his approaching burial.

"I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." v.9

To highlight what a beautiful thing she did.

A single act of love towards the Lord may have far more effect than we can imagine.

This remarkable prophecy of the Lord has been fulfilled for the last 2,500 years; and even we, in explaining it contribute to its accomplishment."

"She has done a beautiful thing to me." v.6

The disciples responded: "Why this waste of perfume?" Jesus said, "She did a beautiful thing to me."

Because it was an expression of her heart.

What made it beautiful was not the smell of the perfume nor the quantity that was poured out, but the heart and devotion that prompted it. Anything we do for or because of Christ, that is prompted by an impulse of simple love, is considered by him to be a beautiful thing.

Mary anointed Jesus because she loved him deeply and believed him to be the true Messiah, the anointed one of God.

Years ago when my son Kent was a little boy, my wife, Barbara, won a beautiful cardboard decorator recipe box. It was very unusual, a conversation piece, and this became the incentive for her to organize a drawer full of loose recipes. As a result she recopied all her recipes on cards and filed them in the box. Our little boy had watched her do this and knew the box was very special to her.

Then came Barbara’s birthday, and some friends dropped by to take her out to a surprise lunch. When she returned home she saw that the box was missing and was just about ready to call out, “Where’s my box?” when she saw Kent. His eyes were wide, and she could see he was holding something behind his back from which water was dripping. She knew what it was, and though her heart sank she smiled. He said, “Mom, I have a birthday present for you,” and he presented her with her wet recipe box, saying, “Mom, I knew you liked the box.” Kent had thrown the recipes in the trash (and the garbage had been picked up that day!) and had “washed” the box, scraping off the hand-made decorations and lining the box with tinfoil. When she opened it, this is what she found: a nickel, a black plastic alligator, and a picture of Kent. My wife still has that box, and it is one of her most treasured possessions. If the house burned down, the first things we would save are the family pictures and that box. Why? Because the motive behind that gift was pure, innocent love. R. Kent Hughes

Because it was enthusiastic.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart." Col 3:23

Was have seen this extravagant expression of Love for God before. It was in the story of the Widows Mite . . .

There is a recklessness in love for Christ which refuses to count the cost, which motivates people to extravagance.

Because it was exclusive.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’" Mk 12:30

If a man once understands the sinfulness of sin, and the mercy of Christ in dying for him, he will never think anything too costly to give to Christ.

This is the motive that is to be behind all our acts and expressions towards Christ. This love for him, is the force that drives us to all the extravagant acts of service and devotion.

"She did what she could." v.8

If we measure what we do for Christ, and his church, by this same criteria, most of us will fall short. Are we doing what "we can do"?

We measure it differently: Am I doing all that "I want to do"? . . . "asked to do?" . . . "all that is convenient to do"?

She did what she could do:

She gave herself to Christ as a living sacrifice. Rom 12:1

She gave herself to him devotionally.

"Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said."

She poured her love upon him.

"When you engage in the duty of prayer, or come to the Lord’s supper, or attend any other duty of divine worship, come to Christ as Mary did; come, and cast yourself at his feet, and kiss them, and pour forth upon him the sweet perfumed ointment of divine love, out of a pure and broken heart, as she poured the precious ointment out of her pure broken alabaster box." Jonathan Edwards