From outside of others, (the disciples) were focused on the worldly things around them, the cost of the perfume, the use of something else with the money they could have had from the perfume, to them the oil was wasted. They did not see and could not understand what the woman was doing
BUT
God knew what she was doing.
Verse 6 says: “She has done a good work for me” or "She has done a beautiful thing for me" depending on your translation. In verse 8 it says: “She has done what she could”.
Unbeknown to the disciples the woman had anointed Jesus’s head and body with all she had for his burial.
Let’s look at this in the context of its time, Jesus Mary and the disciples were in a house, they were around a table, preparing or having food and Mary came and poured perfume over Jesus.
The disciples reacted to their own thoughts and feelings and Jesus replied.
Jewish Tradition
What you may not know is, in the Jewish tradition there is the “Tahara”.
This is believed to be a spiritual cleansing and preparation including using fragrant oils symbolizing purification and honor of the body. It is a sacred duty of respect and where prayers and psalms are recited over the body to return to the earth.
Could it have been?
This act from mary to the disciples was a waste but to God and Mary this small act was something that was needed to be done and significant. The woman may have felt that in that moment this is what she needed to do, without hesitation or thought she poured the oil over Jesus. It doesn’t say why she did it but Mary of Bethany gave that oil ready for Jesus’ burial. Like in the Jewish tradition, God had planned for the body of Jesus to be prepared, to be purified and honoured. It was a duty not a choice.
The English dictionary defines a duty sd something that is a moral or legal obligation. She may not have understood why she was doing it but God could have spoken to her in her spirit to do so. Sometimes we just know inside in our spirit that this must be done, it is like a gut feeling and we do not question why, we just take action and obey the Lord with what the Holy Spirit has given us.
To Jesus this was ultimately a good and beautiful work/thing Mary did for him and because she did this, he said it would be preached to the whole world what she had done.
Can you imagine being ridiculed by everyone around you for something you did, even though you knew it was right? Then for one man, the son of God, Jesus to say it is good and beautiful, and to tell you that everyone in the world will know what you have done. Imagine the joy and the feelings Mary must have felt.
What is God telling you today? Is there something that God is telling you to do and you haven't taken that action to do it yet? Today is the day my brother and sisters!
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