Feast at Simon’s House
477
My body,” He said, “she did it for My burial.” As the alabaster box
was broken, and filled the whole house with its fragrance, so Christ
was to die, His body was to be broken; but He was to rise from the
tomb, and the fragrance of His life was to fill the earth. Christ “hath
loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to
God for a sweet-smelling savor.”
Ephesians 5:2
.
“Verily I say unto you,” Christ declared, “Wheresoever this gospel
shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath
done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” Looking into the future,
the Saviour spoke with certainty concerning His gospel. It was to be
preached throughout the world. And as far as the gospel extended,
Mary’s gift would shed its fragrance, and hearts would be blessed
through her unstudied act. Kingdoms would rise and fall; the names of
monarchs and conquerors would be forgotten; but this woman’s deed
would be immortalized upon the pages of sacred history. Until time
should be no more, that broken alabaster box would tell the story of
the abundant love of God for a fallen race.
Mary’s act was in marked contrast with that which Judas was about
to do. What a sharp lesson Christ might have given him who had
dropped the seed of criticism and evil thinking into the minds of the
disciples! How justly the accuser might have been accused! He who
reads the motives of every heart, and understands every action, might
have opened before those at the feast dark chapters in the experience of
Judas. The hollow pretense on which the traitor based his words might
have been laid bare; for, instead of sympathizing with the poor, he was
robbing them of the money intended for their relief. Indignation might
have been excited against him for his oppression of the widow, the
orphan, and the hireling. But had Christ unmasked Judas, this would
have been urged as a reason for the betrayal. And though charged with
being a thief, Judas would have gained sympathy, even among the
disciples. The Saviour reproached him not, and thus avoided giving
him an excuse for his treachery.
But the look which Jesus cast upon Judas convinced him that the
Saviour penetrated his hypocrisy, and read his base, contemptible
character. And in commending Mary’s action, which had been so
severely condemned, Christ had rebuked Judas. Prior to this, the
Saviour had never given him a direct rebuke. Now the reproof rankled
in his heart. He determined to be revenged. From the supper he went