How Much Is Too Much?
Opening Prayer
My beloved, I pour out my all to You who poured out all for me.
Read Matthew 26:1-16
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[1] When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, [2] “As you know, the Passover is two days away-and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” [3] Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, [4] and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. [5] “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” [6] While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, [7] a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. [8] When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. [9] “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” [10] Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. [11] The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. [12] When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. [13] Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” [14] Then one of the Twelve-the one called Judas Iscariot-went to the chief priests [15] and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. [16] From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What about Mary's act is so memorable?Today’s passage contrasts two people. We are introduced to a woman who pours a jar of “very expensive” perfume (7) over Jesus’ head as an act of love and worship while he is eating at a dinner party. She is rebuked for breaking cultural norms, and for being wasteful–after all, the perfume could have been sold for something useful. Yet Jesus commends her, saying she has prepared his body for burial, and predicting that her story will live on through history (13). In contrast we see a man who has been Jesus’ disciple for three years. The woman’s outpouring of love and perfume seems to be the tipping point for him, causing him to turn away from Jesus. Frustrated with Jesus’ lack of political action, Judas goes to Jesus’ enemies and asks what he can make for selling out his leader. The price they settle on is 30 silver coins–about one quarter of the price of a slave.
Apply
Ask God to search your heart. What is most valuable to you and are you willing to pour it out to Jesus with abandon?
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