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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
immediately after raising her brother from the dead, he was obliged to
seclude himself in order to escape the persecution of the leading Jews.
As she looked upon her brother in the strength of perfect health, her
heart went out in gratitude to Jesus who had restored him to her from
the grave.
Jesus in his mercy had pardoned the sins of Mary, which had been
many and grievous, and her heart was full of love for her Saviour.
She had often heard him speak of his approaching death, and she was
grieved that he should meet so cruel a fate. At great personal sacrifice
she had purchased an alabaster box of precious ointment with which to
anoint the body of Jesus at his death. But she now heard many express
an opinion that he would be elevated to kingly authority when he went
to Jerusalem, and she was only too ready to believe that it would be so.
She rejoiced that her Saviour would no longer be despised and rejected,
and obliged to flee for his life. In her love and gratitude she wished
to be the first to do him honor, and, seeking to avoid observation,
anointed his head and feet with the precious ointment, and then wiped
his feet with her long, flowing hair.
Her movements had been unobserved by the others, but the odor
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filled the house with its fragrance and published her act to all present.
Some of the disciples manifested displeasure at this act, and Judas
boldly expressed his disapprobation at such a wasteful extravagance.
Simon the host, who was a Pharisee, was influenced by the words of
Judas, and his heart filled with unbelief. He also thought that Jesus
should hold no communication with Mary because of her past life.
Judas, the prime instigator of this disaffection among those who sat
at the table, was a stranger to the deep devotion and homage which
actuated Mary to her deed of love. He had been appointed treasurer of
the united funds of the disciples, and had dishonestly appropriated to
himself the means which were designed for the service of God.
He had indulged a spirit of avarice until it had overpowered every
good trait in his character. This act of Mary was in such marked
contrast with his selfishness that he was ashamed of his avarice, and
sought to attribute his objection to her gift, to a worthier motive.
Turning to the disciples he asked, “Why was not this ointment sold
for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” Thus he sought to
hide his covetousness under apparent sympathy for the poor, when, in
reality, he cared nothing for them.