A Woman Anoints Jesus with Perfume
Yes, this is a story of Jesus, the woman, the perfume and Judas Iscariot but it revealed so much more to the disciples. As always, Christ used this incident as an opportunity to teach. And, we’ll find that when the woman anoints Jesus with perfume, it signals something else – something ominous.
Why did the woman pour perfume on Jesus? This is a good question. Let’s explore it.
First, this is a good place to begin reading the Easter story. Jesus tells blatantly that he will not be with the disciples much longer. And, He tells them exactly how He will die.
It was difficult for the disciples (especially Judas) to understand why Jesus was not upset by the “wasting” of expensive perfume by this woman. But, Christ explains what the scented liquid is really for.
The Woman And The Perfume – Matthew 26
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
The Easter Plan is Beginning
A note here is that, while Jesus was being anointed with perfume, the Pharisees were plotting to kill Him. Jesus knew of their plans all along. But, as always, used the pouring of the perfume to reveal and to teach.
Who Is She?
Many scholars believe the woman mentioned here was Mary, Lazarus’s sister. She knew the goodness and power of Christ as He brought her brother back to life after four days.
A Woman Pours Perfume – Is the Money Wasted on Jesus?
None of the disciples were happy with this incident. They became indignant at the blatant waste of very expensive perfume. But, as told in the Gospel of John, no disciple was more so than Judas Iscariot, the betrayer. After all, he sold Jesus out for a small amount of silver. So, greed was definitely in his nature.
Perfume Signaled the Death of Jesus
Jesus answered by bringing back Deuteronomy 15:11 which states; “There will always be poor people in the land.”, not to be sarcastic but just to state the fact that He would not be with them much longer as the perfume was his burial scent.
Giving Freely
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0718079906″ locale=”US” src=”https://makingchristknown.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/51AUd5xRu9L.SL160.jpg” tag=”bobpardphot-20″ width=”107″]The woman’s “sacrifice” of perfume pleased Jesus as it was given in the right spirit.
How about us? Are we willing to give a sacrifice of our resources and time to glorify God?
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to learn more about the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16.