A Serving Leadership Insight from the Life of Jesus Christ (Mark 14:1-2)

“While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.” (See Mark 14:3–9 for full text)

In Mark 14:3–9, Jesus commended a woman for anointing him with expensive perfume much to the indignation of a few onlookers. Their stated concern was economic. “It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor,” was their harsh rebuke, but Jesus saw it differently. “Leave her alone,” he told the critics. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Jesus knew their concern for the poor was only in theory, but this woman sacrificed extravagantly for the one she loved. Her actions would be remembered, not their talk.

KEY QUESTIONS: Am I sometimes conflicted within my spirit due to economic extravagance or waste? When is extravagance or perceived waste acceptable? When should it be unacceptable? Do I tend to see what’s behind people’s actions or judge them at face value?