The Gospel of Mark: Anointing in Bethany

While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” 

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.~ Mark 14:3-11


It feels like there is always something new for me to notice with this story. 

They sound pretty right, don't they? I mean...yeah, give money to the poor. Don't waste in on anointing someone!

But let's look at that from several different angles.

- Who's money is it to waste or not waste? The woman's. Not theirs (whoever they are...)...

- Which brings me to: just who ARE they? The disciples (yes, in Matthew)? Judas (yes...in John)? Other guests?

- What is the difference between waste and generosity? Is this woman wasteful? Or is she generous? 

- She anoints Jesus both as a king and as someone for burial. Clearly this woman knows what needs to be done.

- Isn't it funny that Jesus says this woman will be remembered, yet we don't get her name?

And finally, the elephant in the room: does Jesus not care about the poor, or is something else going on.

I have always wondered if he was simply pointing out that the poor wasn't the issue for this particular conversation.

But as I read it this time I wonder: is Jesus pointing out to these men that if they are so concerned about the poor, what are they doing about it with their own money vs. worrying about what this woman is doing about it with hers?

Is he pointing out that the poor will be with THEM always - so they (and us?) might want to start showing that kindness to the poor themselves rather than thrusting that job onto someone else?


Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen


Engagement Questions:


How are we meant to care for those who are suffering from poverty?

 

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