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

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked.  “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.  Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Matthew 26:6 – 13

I love this scene.  It is a window into the reality of  God’s grace for me.

Jesus’ death on the cross is approaching – a few days remaining.  He is with his disciples in the home of Simon, the leper, once healed by Jesus, near Jerusalem. The disciples are disturbed by what is happening. A woman, overcome with compelling thanks and love anointed Jesus head with a very expensive ointment – to be used to anoint the body of a loved one after death.   When the disciples saw her do it they thought only of money, not a bit about the insight and prophetic gift in this woman, certainly not that it was his funeral anointing oil!

Enraged by what they saw as inexplicable waste they berated her!  In the meanwhile. Jesus’ heart was touched by her deed.  He was blessed by her of love. Money did not enter the picture for Jesus, nor for the woman.

Jesus’ value system upset the disciples.  Did he not care that they could have sold that ointment at a handsome price?  They could not believe that Jesus not only allowed the woman to anoint him but praised her for her “beautiful thing.”  For the disciples, a “beautiful thing” would have been to sell the anointing oil and use the proceeds for their own living.

At this season of the year when I recall how Jesus won my salvation, I need to be touched by the wonder of it all, to see again what really matters, now and eternally.  I give my all for the joy of knowing the blessings of God.  My eyes need to see what is of eternal value.