Communion Thought (5-24-2009)

Mark 14:3-9
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as 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. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “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. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

This morning I had the pleasure of giving the Communion thought at the Central Church of Christ. Typically, this seems like a difficult task. I don’t want to risk sounding like just another individual saying the same mantra and letting the message fall on deaf ears. What I do want is for people to take a minute and truly contemplate what we are honoring through the Lord’s Supper.

As I was reading I noticed the story of the woman anointing Jesus (Mark 14:3-9), and how Mark placed this in between the chief priests contemplating arresting Jesus and Judas’ agreement to help (in Matthew and Luke, these events are placed together). As I re-read this passage a few things stood out to me.

1st – Jesus was anointed. This is very reminiscent of the anointing of the Jewish Kings in the Old Testament. It was as though Jesus’ closest companions did not see him as King, but this ‘woman’ did and honored him as one.

2nd – The financial Sacrifice. This woman did not use some everyday perfume. As those in Jesus’ presence pointed it out indignantly, this perfume could have been sold for more than a year’s wages. She did this willingly, breaking off the top of the bottle to ensure that every last drop was dispensed.

3rd – Jesus’ rebuke. There are various times that Jesus rebukes his followers and each time it is a sobering event. While we can see that those in the crowd were trying to be good people (i. e. giving to the poor). However, Jesus rather pointed to the fact that his death was coming soon and this anointing is another sign (preparation) for his coming burial.

4th – The woman was honored. For her act of financial sacrifice and willingness to honor Jesus, Jesus in turn honored her by stating, “wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (v9). Likewise, we should be confident in believing that as we sacrifice and honor God today; he will be faithful in honoring us as well.

~ by Brad Raburn on May 24, 2009.