Mark 14:1-11

Random thoughts on the following passage

Why this waste?
Mark 14:1-11

There were many believers at the time of this passage and Jesus was drawn to dine at the house of a leper. Simon had to be overwhelmed with joy due to the presence of the Son of God sitting at his table. The Lord of all creation dining with a social reject just as He had done many times before. Simon’s heart full of encouragement due to his friendship with the most loving man to ever walk the face of this earth.

As Jesus is sitting at Simon’s table he knew that his death was near. His disciples gathered around to listen and converse with the one they had laid down their lives for. I imagine the disciples a group of confused men that constantly needed reminding of the purpose of the incarnation. I know I would have needed reminding, I would desire for Jesus to take His place as an earthly king just like the disciples did.

Amongst the conversations a woman enters the room. Out of character for a woman to enter a room of men I can imagine the initial thoughts of the men. Unashamed and without concern for tradition she approaches Jesus. Confidently as an expectant child she enters the room and comes before the Lord of all creation. Mary’s heart was so full of love for Jesus that she desired nothing else other than to serve him with all that she had. As the men watched her break the flask their jaws dropped. My first thought would have been one of conviction due to the level of devotion and sacrifice this woman displayed. Our hearts are convicted when we see others that are more devoted to Jesus than we are. We often times judge them of try to find something to discredit them. The greater the sacrifice that we witness, the great the conviction is on our hearts. To see such a loving devotion for any man is uncommon. Mary’s logic in pouring her inheritance and sustenance over Jesus’ head was baffling. Jesus’ heart must have been so blessed by the Father showing His love and devotion through the act of this woman. God was preparing the heart of Jesus and the followers. The other men in the room learned many valuable lessons that day.

To see grown men cry under the conviction of a love offering will change perspectives without the utterance of a word. When the disciples were corrected by Jesus for speaking harshly to Mary, they understood once again that the Lord’s ways were different from theirs.