"Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? “For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. “For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. “For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. “Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”" [Matthew 26:6-13 NASB]
We know from John 12 that this woman was Mary, the sister of Lazarus. The perfume was in an alabaster vial, and was very expensive - worth more than a years wages. Jewish women of the day would sometimes wear these flasks as ornaments around their necks, and would pass them down from mother to daughter. The only way to use the perfume was to break the neck of the flask and pour it out.
Mary's act showed that, of all the disciples, she was the one who really listened. Jesus has been saying that He would be arrested, beaten, and killed. The other disciples tried to argue Him out of it, or else ignored it, preferring instead to ask about His kingdom and glory. But Mary understood what He was saying, and chose to perform this act of love and kindness before He had to endure the suffering.
The disciples were indignant at this display of devotion. They tried to justify their indignation with religious self-righteousness. "For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor." John informs us the the spokesman for the disciples was Judas Iscariot, who said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. " [John 12:5-6 NASB]
Mary's act was radical and over the top, and Jesus loved it, and honored her for it.
Back in the 1960's and 70's, there was a strong revival among young people called the Jesus Movement. A lot of people in the hippie culture became saved, and being free spirited, they displayed their enthusiasm for Jesus with great freedom and fervor. This freedom of worship moved beyond the hippie culture and became embraced by young people all over the country. The term "Jesus freak" was applied to these young people. They in turn, embraced the term and proudly stated, "I am a Jesus freak."
As so often happens, the Jesus Movement developed into several different denominations, each with their own religious rituals and traditions. The fervor of the movement was effectively subdued, and replaced with religion.
When I was first saved back in the 1970's, I was over-the-top enthusiastic. Being unchurched, I didn't know anything about religion or tradition or ritual. I only knew that Jesus saved me, and I loved Him. Being young and eager to learn, I listened to the older Christians who explained to me that I needed to "tone it down". Stop being so boisterous. Blend in. Sadly, I blended.
40+ years later, it is now my desire to unlearn what my elders once told me. I want to regain that fervor that I had as new Christian. I want the fervor, but with the deeper understanding and relationship with God that I have gained over the years.
Mary's relationship with Jesus was as close as any disciple. Her demonstration of devotion and love surpassed them.
I want a heart like Mary's. One that gives to the Lord without question, without considering the cost, regardless of the reaction of others. I want to be a Jesus Freak.
No comments:
Post a Comment