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A Gift of Love, October 26
Matthew 26:3-13
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John 12:1-8
She hath done what she could.
Mark 14:8
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Simon of Bethany was accounted a disciple of Jesus. He was one of the few
Pharisees who had openly joined Christ’s followers. He acknowledged Jesus as
a teacher, and hoped that He might be the Messiah, but he had not accepted Him
as a Saviour. His character was not transformed; his principles were unchanged.
Simon had been healed of the leprosy, and it was this that had drawn him
to Jesus. He desired to show his gratitude, and at Christ’s last visit to Bethany
he made a feast for the Saviour and His disciples.... At the table the Saviour sat
with Simon... on one side, and Lazarus ... on the other. Martha served at the
table, but Mary was earnestly listening to every word from the lips of Jesus. In
His mercy, Jesus had pardoned her sins, He had called forth her beloved brother
from the grave, and Mary’s heart was filled with gratitude. She had heard Jesus
speak of His approaching death, and in her deep love and sorrow she had longed
to show Him honor. At great personal sacrifice she had purchased an alabaster
box of “ointment of spikenard, very costly,” with which to anoint His body. But
now many were declaring that He was about to be crowned king. Her grief was
turned to joy, and she was eager to be first in honoring her Lord. Breaking her
box of ointment, she poured its contents upon the head and feet of Jesus; then,
as she knelt weeping, moistening them with her tears, she wiped His feet with
her long, flowing hair....
Judas looked upon this act with great displeasure.... He asked, “Why was
not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” ... The
murmur passed round the table, “To what purpose is this waste?...” Mary heard
the words of criticism.... She was about to shrink away, when the voice of her
Lord was heard, “Let her alone; why trouble ye her?”... Lifting His voice above
the murmur of criticism, He said, “She hath wrought a good work on me. For
ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them
good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come
aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
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The Desire of Ages, 557-560
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317