Scandalous Waste
“The world despised the widow’s mite as too small, while it criticized the anointing of Bethany as wasteful, exhibitionist and unrealistic. What the disciples said about the value of the ointment and the need of the poor was perfectly true, but Jesus looks for uncalculating devotion to Himself rather than fine wisdom and balanced judgment in giving.”- R. Alan Cole
“Some people find Jesus useful because of what they think they can get from Him. Others find Jesus beautiful because they get Him. This woman found Jesus beautiful and gave all she had to Him. In contrast, Judas found Jesus useful and sought to get all he could in exchange for Him.” – Daniel Akin
“Faith and discipleship are not ideal realms, what we might like to be and do; they are absolute realities, who we are and what we are able to give. In Jesus’ sight an act has value according to its motive and intent, and that- not its material value- is what makes it serviceable in the kingdom of God. When one acts thus, no gift, not even a mere two lepta (12:41-44), is meaningless; and no gift, even a year’s salary, is wasted.”- James R. Edwards
I don’t think the woman who broke the alabaster jar and poured the expensive perfume on His head knew what she was doing. I don’t mean that her action was unthinking or unplanned, rather that she had no way to understand its significance in the moment. She was acting out of simple but profound love for Jesus. She didn’t know anointing for burial was how Jesus would frame it. In fact, no one knew how Jesus would react to her bold, beautiful public display of affection. Certainly the early reviews were not encouraging. The disciples were all sure there was something far better to be done here than what was done here. Their scolding sound so high minded and well, reasonable. The only reason we don’t accept their logic and follow their opinion is because we have the advantage of reading on to hear and appreciate Jesus’ opinion on the matter. He calls it beautiful. He calls it prophetic. He calls it her doing all she could. He praises her and says that because of her act of love her story will forever be linked with His story- the Good News. It is not plausible that she had any depth of insight to know all of that- or maybe even any of it. She acted in love. She acted in faith. Others saw it as a waste but Jesus saw it as beautiful.
How many times are we called to simple obedience but turn aside for fear of what people might think or say or do in response? How many times are we willing to risk ourselves, our reputation, our ‘brand’ for the sake of obedience to Christ? How often do we show our affection for Jesus when the results are not guaranteed? Jesus’ death is the moment in Mark’s gospel where His being God’s Son is recognized by the Roman Centurion. I wonder if he too thought, “What a waste!” this is God’s Son but now he is dead. He could have done so much more for the world if he had not died. But that is the secret of the Kingdom isn’t it? We follow a King who gave it all away for us. His death was not a waste but the very act by which we are ransomed. It is a scandalous waste but only if we don’t see it in the light of a Redemptive God. A God who comes to set us free. A God who comes to give Himself for us. A God who pours out His blood. Spending Himself fully so that the will of the Father is accomplished. He calls us to the same. Everyday, we are given this opportunity to lovingly spend ourselves for Jesus’ sake or to choose another path. For most of us, there won’t be great approval from the observers. They will all have opinions about what we could have done better. But, simple acts of obedience and love, even when done in ignorance of their full effect, do so much for the Kingdom of Jesus. The challenge is to be willing to be poured out for His sake. To seek nothing more than His approval. To desire nothing more than to lovingly obey His call. When followers of Jesus do this, there is no telling what God will do with our scandalous waste. Let the bystanders scold you. Let the power brokers scheme. You be faithful. You be broken and poured out for Jesus. You leave the results to Him.