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March 14 - Matthew 26-28
And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. 8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” 10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 13 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Matthew 26:6-13)
This passage tells the story of a woman who pours expensive perfume on Jesus while He is dining in Bethany. To some observers, the act seemed wasteful, but Jesus declared it to be a beautiful and meaningful sacrifice. This moment reveals deep truths about worship, devotion, and the true value of sacrificial love.
The scene takes place in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. As Jesus reclines at the table, a woman approaches Him with an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil. John’s Gospel identifies the woman as Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha (John 12:3). The perfume she carried was extremely valuable. It was likely worth close to a year’s wages. Alabaster flasks were sealed containers, meaning that once opened they were meant to be used entirely. When Mary poured the oil on Jesus’ head, she was giving something of immense personal and financial value.
The disciples quickly reacted with criticism. They saw the act as wasteful and argued that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. On the surface, their concern seemed reasonable. Caring for the poor was a significant command in Jewish teaching and throughout Scripture. However, Jesus recognized something deeper in Mary’s actions. While others saw waste, Jesus saw worship.
Jesus responded to the criticism by saying, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.” His words immediately reframed the situation. The disciples were focused on practicality, but Jesus focused on devotion. Mary’s act was a heartfelt expression of love, honor, and reverence for Jesus.
Furthermore, Jesus explained that her act carried prophetic significance. He said, “For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial.” At this point in the Gospel narrative, Jesus had already predicted His death several times, yet the disciples still struggled to grasp its meaning. Mary, however, appears to have understood something they did not. Her anointing anticipated the burial customs of the time, when bodies were prepared with spices and oils. In this sense, her act became a preparation for the suffering and death that Jesus would soon endure.
Jesus also made a statement that has sometimes been misunderstood: “For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always.” He was not dismissing care for the poor. Scripture consistently calls believers to compassion and generosity. Rather, Jesus was emphasizing the uniqueness of the moment. His earthly ministry was nearing its end, and Mary recognized the importance of honoring Him while she had the opportunity.
This passage teaches several important lessons about true devotion. First, genuine love for Christ often appears extravagant to others. When a believer gives time, resources, or reputation for the sake of Christ, the world may see it as foolish or excessive. Yet in God’s eyes, sincere devotion is never wasted.
Second, sacrificial worship flows from a heart that recognizes the worth of Jesus. Mary’s gift was costly because her love was deep. The value of the sacrifice reflected the value she placed on Christ. True worship is not measured by outward performance but by the depth of love and surrender behind the offering.
Third, devotion to Christ must be timely. Mary acted when the opportunity was present. Soon Jesus would be arrested, crucified, and buried. The moment to honor Him in this way would pass. In the same way, believers today are called to serve Christ faithfully while the opportunity remains.
Finally, Jesus honored her sacrifice with a remarkable promise. He declared that wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she had done would also be told as a memorial to her. In other words, her act of devotion would never be forgotten. Her story would travel alongside the message of salvation itself.
Matthew 26:6–13 reminds us that worship involves sacrifice. True devotion to Christ often requires giving what is precious, costly, and deeply personal. Yet when offered out of love, such sacrifices are never wasted. In the kingdom of God, a costly gift given to Jesus becomes a beautiful act of worship that echoes through eternity.