6)
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
7) There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
8) But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
9) For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
10) When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
11) For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
12) For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
13) Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.Matthew 26:6-13 (KJV)
In this episode of The Greater Heritage podcast we look at one of the most famous events in the Gospels: Mary Magdalene’s anointing of Jesus at Bethany.
Through our study we see how the Disciples, and especially Judas Iscariot, react to Mary’s act of devotion, which teaches us the importance of being aware that bad things can happen even in good circumstances, and how we must let that fact increase our resolve to serve God all the more.
We also discuss Mary’s actions, and how they mattered to Jesus despite being “abnormal” when compared to the social norms and expectations of the time.
“Regardless of what others will think, our Christian service will never fail as long as we focus on Jesus.”Thus we learn that all ministry matters. In fact, regardless of what others will think, our Christian service will never fail as long as we focus on Jesus.
Lastly, we consider the deep personal and financial costs Mary endured as a result of her use of priceless ointment to anoint Jesus.
This teaches us that there are costs associated with serving Jesus, but that such costs are always appreciated by him.
Also included in the lesson is a brief survey of the village of Bethany, including its geographic significance and many asides into the culture of the day that give a well-rounded view of the account.
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Verses featured in this episode: Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:1-8.
Intro and outro music provided by Five Minute Plan. Be sure to check them out!
Image Credit
Vue générale de Bethany – General view of Bethany, (ca. 1880). Félix Bonfils (French, 1831–1885). Albumen silver print. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gift of Mrs. John L. Swayze, 1982. 1982.1153.21.