Sunday morning, March 31, 1996
Worship or Waste?
Matthew 26:6-13
By P. G. Mathew, M.A., M.Div., Th.M.
Copyright © 1996 by P. G. Mathew
Is Christian worship a waste? Certainly, in the eyes of the
world it is. People in the world watch true Christians worshiping
and serving God, but to them it is all a waste of time, money and
energy. Why do they call it a waste? It is because their eyes
have not been opened to understand the gospel. Until a person
understands the person and work of Jesus Christ, he or she cannot
appreciate what worship or Christian service is. In this passage
we see the Christian disciple Mary courageously, expensively, and
thoughtfully worshiping and serving her Lord, Jesus Christ. We
see her pouring out her heart to the one who would pour out his
heart for her on the cross. As we study this passage, may we be
challenged to emulate Mary, who showed her devotion to Christ by
lavishing upon him the most expensive thing she could find.
The Fulfillment of God's Plan
We have been studying the Olivet Discourse as found in Matthew 24
and 25. In these chapters Jesus taught his disciples about
eschatological matters, meaning, things relating to his second
coming and the end of the age. At the end of his discourse, Jesus
informed the disciples that he would be handed over to be
crucified in two days during the Feast of Passover (Matt.
26:1,2). So at the beginning of chapter 26 we see Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, undistracted as he focuses on the will of God for
him, which was to die and give his life a ransom for many.
Now, the chief priests and elders of the Jewish people had
already decided to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him.
They were envious of Jesus because of his popularity, his
miracles, his teachings, and the large crowds who followed him.
But they did not want to kill him during the Passover feast,
because the people might riot.
The man charged with keeping order among the Jews was Joseph
Caiaphas, the high priest and leader of the Sanhedrin at this
time. Now, Caiaphas did not inherit his post; rather, he was
appointed to it by the Roman overlords. Before 37 B.C., the
position of high priest was inherited, and a man kept it until he
died. From 37 B.C. to A.D. 67, however, the high priesthood was
under the control of the Romans, who appointed whomever they
wanted. The Romans hated social disorder, and they looked for men
who could keep order. It was Caiaphas's duty, then, to promote
peace, particularly during times like the Feast of Passover, when
over two million people gathered in Jerusalem.
Joseph Caiaphas was appointed high priest by governor Valerius
Gratus, who preceded Pontius Pilate as governor of Judea. Like
some of our modern politicians, Caiaphas was a shrewd man. He had
no moral scruples and would do anything to promote himself and
keep himself in power. He was capable, even, of planning the
death of Jesus, the miracle-working Son of God, who had raised
Lazarus from the dead (John 11:45-53). It was Caiaphas who
prophesied that it would be better for the nation that one man
die than for the whole nation to be destroyed by the Romans.
Shrewd Caiaphas maintained his powerful position as high priest
from A.D. 18 to A.D. 36.
So Caiaphas met secretly with the Jewish elders, including Annas,
a former high priest, and decided to kill Jesus. To avoid a riot,
they planned to wait until the twenty-second of the month of Abib
to carry out their plan. That was the decision of the council. It
was man's decision. But God the Father had another plan. God the
Father had decided that his Son be arrested, tried and crucified during
the feast of Passover. Why did God plan this? Jesus Christ was
God's Passover lamb.
The Feast of Passover celebrated Israel's deliverance from
Egyptian bondage. Every year, on the fourteenth day of the month
of Abib, every family removed leaven from their home, took a lamb
to the temple in the evening, killed the lamb and threw its blood
upon the altar in sacrifice. They took the carcass home to roast
it, and then they ate it along with bitter herbs. The lamb is the
main part of the Passover meal.
Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God who came to liberate the elect
people of God from the bondage of sin, Satan, death, and hell.
Every lamb killed throughout the history of Israel pointed to
Jesus Christ. So although the secret council agreed to wait until
after the festival, it was the Father's decree that his Son die
as the true Passover Lamb during the Passover festival itself.
Now, whose decree would be fulfilled, God's or the Sanhedrin's?
Would Jesus be killed during Passover or after Passover? We know
God's decree is irresistible. Jesus died during Passover.
So we see Jesus moving in total consciousness of the will of God
for his life. He took each step to fulfill the purpose for which
God the Father sent him. What was that purpose? He spoke of it in
many places, but we read of it particularly in Matthew 20:28:
"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and
to give his life as a ransom for many."
Refreshment Before Suffering
Beginning in Matthew 26:6, Matthew records an event that took
place a few days before the events of Matthew 26:1-5. So here
Matthew is not chronological. In this passage, Matthew 26:6-16,
Matthew is speaking about an oasis of experience that Jesus had
in Bethany on his way to the cross. It was an elim ,
where Jesus was refreshed.
Jesus had friends in the town of Bethany. Here he had raised
Lazarus from the dead, and it appears from the Scriptures that he
had also healed a man named Simon of leprosy. On the Saturday
prior to the Passover feast, Jesus and his disciples were honored
at a dinner in Bethany, where Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Simon
lived. There were about fifteen men at the meal--twelve
disciples, plus Jesus, Simon, and Lazarus. As was the custom, no
woman sat with them, but the text says elsewhere that Martha, who
was also a believer, was there serving. It was during this meal
that, in the providence of God, while Jesus was on the road to
Calvary from Galilee, he was allowed to experience some
refreshment in Bethany before his suffering and humiliation on
the cross. This refreshment came through an outpouring of love
and devotion from his disciple, Mary.
Mary, the True Disciple
Mary was a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Although Jesus had told
his male disciples many times that he would be killed in
Jerusalem by the authorities, they failed to understand what he
was saying. But Mary understood the gospel. Remember how she sat
at the feet of Jesus, intently listening to what Jesus Christ was
teaching her? (Luke 10) She took time to hear and understand.
What did Jesus say at that time? Only one thing is needed.
Brothers and sisters, Jesus himself said only one thing is
needed. And what is that one thing? It is to understand the
mission of Jesus. Only one thing is needed in all of our life--to
understand the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the good news
of the gospel.
In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 St. Paul tells us what the gospel is:
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first
importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third
day according to the Scriptures. . ." That is the gospel,
and without this understanding no one can be saved. The one thing
needful that Mary understood is that Jesus Christ, the Son of
God, came into this world to die for our sins and to be raised
for our justification.
Mary deliberately chose this gospel and loved it with all her
heart, mind, soul, and strength. This gospel is the power of God
unto salvation to everyone who believes. As a disciple, Mary came
to understand that she was a wretched sinner, under the wrath of
God and bound for hell. Then she met Jesus--this Jesus who is a
friend of sinners, who is the Lamb of God, and who takes away the
sins of Mary and all elect sinners. Mary became fascinated with
the amazing fact that Christ would die for her salvation and be
raised from the dead.
Now Mary was present when Jesus raised her brother Lazarus from
the dead. She heard Jesus say, "I am the resurrection and
the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies,
and whoever lives and believes in me will never die," and
she came to understand the truth of Jesus' words. Mary believed
this gospel and was gloriously saved. So in this account she
shows her understanding by anointing Jesus with this very
expensive perfume.
The male disciples at this time failed to understand this gospel.
When they saw what Mary was doing, "they were
indignant" (Matt. 26:8). The audacity of this woman to come
into the room publicly and waste expensive perfume on Jesus
irritated his disciples and made them very angry.
The Disciples' Failure
All these men with their brilliant minds failed to understand
what this woman, Mary, understood. Some say that women are
emotional. Maybe they are, but in this passage we see a woman who
was also very intelligent. When all of the men failed to
understand the gospel, there was a woman who understood. So we
read, "When the disciples saw this, they were indignant.
'Why this waste?' they asked" (Matt. 26:8). That type of
speech cannot come from the mouth of anyone unless that person
fails to understand the person and the mission of Jesus Christ.
Only those who do not understand Jesus will speak such language.
That is not the only time in this chapter we see these men
failing to understand the gospel. In verses 14-16 we see the
disciple Judas, one who had preached the kingdom of God, going to
Caiaphas, the high priest, and offering to sell Jesus. "What
are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" Judas
asked. His question tells us that Judas Iscariot had no
understanding of who this Jesus Christ was. In verses 33-35 we
read of the utter self-confidence of St. Peter. He spoke as a
fool, because he did not understand what was going on. In verses
40-45 we see the failure of the disciples to watch and pray. Why
couldn't they stay awake? They did not understand what was
happening. In verse 56 we see the flight of the disciples away
from Jesus, and in verses 69-75, the denials of Peter, who said
three times, "I don't know him." Why did they do this?
They did not understand the gospel.
But Mary understood the death of Jesus Christ, and knew it was a
death that would save her. She knew she was a sinner, and she
also knew all her sins were forgiven. This gospel understanding
filled her heart with such love for Jesus that she did something
during the supper that was extraordinary, courageous, costly, and
contemplative. Although Mary was not seated with the fifteen men,
she came with great boldness and courage to worship her Savior,
the Prophet, Priest and King, Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 4:16 we
are told to approach the throne of grace in boldness. The world
may think that we are foolish when we worship and serve Jesus
Christ in this world, but the child of God is unafraid of the
world and what the world would say. A true believer will pour out
his or her love and devotion to Jesus Christ without fear.
Mary, the True Worshiper
No one worships God unless he or she is saved by the gospel. True
worship springs from the realization of the true worth of God and
the realization of one's own utter unworthiness and lostness.
Mary understood that in his death Jesus would pour out his life
for her, and so she poured out her heart for him. Mary knew that
God the Father loved her, as it was his decree that his only Son
should die for her. God the Father did not spare his own Son, but
gave him up for Mary's salvation. She knew that God the Son loved
her. She knew that Christ loved the church and gave himself for
her. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd . . . and I lay
down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15).
As Mary meditated on God's love and Christ's impending death, I
am sure she wondered how she could express the utmost love for
this Jesus who loved her and would soon die for her salvation. As
she pondered that question, she came to this resolution: she
would give him the best and most valuable thing she had. So
probably she gathered up all her savings, and bought, not one
ounce but one pound--one pound of the most expensive perfume
available. She bought authentic nard, which was imported from
India. This costly perfume was produced from an aromatic
perennial herb, Nardostachys jatamansi , grown
chiefly in the Himalayan pasturelands. It came in hermetically
sealed, marble bottles with long necks. It cost about 300
denarii, we are told by the conservative Judas. A denarii was the
wage for one day's labor in those days. This perfume was used on
special festive occasions. The neck of the flask would be broken
and all the perfume would be poured out upon the honored guest.
King Cambyses (d. 522 B.C.) sent this authentic nard perfume as a
gift to the king of Ethiopia. It was considered to be a gift fit
for a king--certainly fit for Jesus, the supreme Prophet, Priest
and King.
Love's Response to Christ
Love shows extravagance and lavishness. Love does not look for
cheap bargains. Love gives the best. Mary loved this Savior who
would pour out his life for her, and so she poured out on him
that which cost her most.
The Bible speaks of other believers doing the same thing. In the
Old Testament we read of King David, who committed the horrible
sin of taking a census of people when God did not command him to
do so. God was angry and many people died, although David was
spared. But David was told to offer a burnt offering on the
threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. When Araunah saw King
David coming, he told him he could have whatever he needed for
worship--the threshing floor, the oxen, even the wood--for free.
What did David do? The king would not accept this. It would be an
insult to Jehovah who spared his life to offer a sacrifice that
did not cost him. He said, "No, I insist on paying you for
it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God that which cost me
nothing."
The vast majority of Christians worship in a way that costs them
nothing. Why? Their evaluation of their salvation is cheap. Their
knowledge of their sin is not true. True worship is the worship
of all our heart, all our mind, all our soul, and all our
strength, which includes money. Do you remember the widow that we
read about in Luke 21? She came to worship God in the temple.
When the time came to put in an offering, being a poor widow, she
put in two copper coins. These coins represented all that she
possessed, yet she put both into the temple treasury, and Jesus
commended her, saying she gave more than all those who had given
much richer gifts. Why did he say that? Out of her poverty she
had given all that she had. Why would a poor widow do such a
thing? She appreciated God and her salvation.
Love lavishes freely. Love is self-sacrifice. Paul says, "In
him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he
lavished on us. . ." (Eph. 1:7-8). No man or woman will love
God sacrificially except in response to the love of God he or she
has experienced.
In response the love of Christ for her, and knowing of his
forthcoming death, Mary boldly came into the presence of the
fifteen men, broke the neck of the perfume bottle, and poured the
entire contents upon the head and upon the feet of Jesus. Then,
in great humility, she unbound her hair, which was a terrible
thing to do in the Jewish culture. Only women of ill-repute
loosed their hair in public, but Mary did not care what people
thought of her at that moment. Instead of using a towel, she used
her own hair, which Paul says is her glory, to wipe the feet of
her Savior. This was bold worship! It was courageous, costly,
humble worship! Mary wanted to serve and honor her Christ.
Forgiven Much, Loves Much
Saved people worship. Saved people serve. Saved people love. The
Bible tells of another woman who came while Jesus was in Galilee
in the house of a Pharisee named Simon (Luke 7:36-50). This
unbelieving Pharisee invited Jesus for dinner, but he treated him
with contempt. He did not give Jesus any of the commonly expected
courtesies--water for washing his feet, a welcoming kiss, and oil
for his head. Simon did not show any respect to Jesus Christ.
However, we are told that a sinful woman entered Simon's house
during the dinner and washed Jesus' feet with her tears, kissed
them, poured costly perfume on them, and dried them with her
hair. Why did she do this? Her actions tell us that although she
was known as a sinful woman, her sins were previously forgiven by
Jesus, and now, seizing the opportunity of Jesus' visit, like
Mary, she came and poured out her heart in devotion to Jesus.
Simon the Pharisee became extremely upset at this woman's
actions. He concluded if Jesus were a prophet, he would not let
such a "sinful" woman minister to him. But Jesus told
Simon, ". . . her many sins have been forgiven--for she
loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves
little." (v. 47) Let me tell you, that is always the truth.
Simon the Pharisee was not forgiven at all.
The same is true of Mary. She is not depicted here as a sinner,
but we know she was, because all have sinned and come short of
the glory of God. So Mary, the sister of Lazarus, also realized
the amazing love of God that forgave her sins. In response, she
worshiped, served, adored and spent for him. A Christian who
appreciates salvation and the total forgiveness of sins will
love, worship and serve God with total delight.
The Disciples' Response
What was the reaction of the disciples, these twelve mighty men?
The text says they were indignant, angry, frustrated, irritated.
This happens when some people worship and love God. Others become
frustrated and irritated, because they cannot understand what is
going on.
Judas and the disciples concluded that Mary had done a foolish
and wasteful thing. They saw no merit to her actions. To them,
she had acted imprudently and much too liberally. They thought
she should have sold the perfume and given it to the poor, giving
the money to the treasurer, Judas, of course--so he could steal
it (John 12:5,6). Judas was like many preachers today, who have
no interest in the gospel or in saving sinners. They cover up
their greed, as Judas did when he said she should have sold the
perfume and given the money to the poor. There are many
fraudulent evangelists and preachers who are always manipulating
people to get money for their own interests, but they come in the
name of the poor, in the name of some mission causes, some social
services.
Why did the disciples react this way? They still lacked
understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ. To them
Jesus was just another person, and therefore this anointing was a
waste. Now Judas was an unbeliever, but the other disciples also
did not understand. They were slow to grasp the significance of
Christ's death. To those who have no understanding of sin, the
gospel means nothing. It is a waste, they say. The Sabbath is a
waste, they say--one whole day set aside for what? To worship
God? One could work for eighteen hours and make a lot of money.
One could go places and have a lot of fun. To them, people who go
to church and worship on Sunday are foolish. It's a waste, they
say. To them, the Sabbath is a waste, singing is a waste, praying
is a waste, preaching is a waste, and giving to Christ is a
waste. They would say, If only you put what you give to God in
mutual funds, and let it work for you for thirty five years,
think of all the monies you could have when you retire!
The gospel is foolishness to the Gentiles and a stumbling block
to the Jews, but to Mary and to all who believe, it is the power
of God unto salvation. To such people it is not a waste--it is
investment, treasure in heaven. Worship is joy unspeakable and
full of glory, the greatest experience in the world. Worship is
our glory. It is the very evidence of our understanding of the
gospel. Our worship is the very evidence that our sins, which
were many, have been forgiven forever.
In 2 Corinthians 8 we see how this idea of giving, service, and
worship, is based on our salvation. It is a grace. In verses 1
through 5 Paul writes, "And now, brothers, we want you to
know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.
Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their
extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that
they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their
ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for
the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they
did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the
Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will." It is a
grace to give for the Lord's work and for the Lord.
Jesus Memorializes Mary
In response to the disciples' indignation, Mary was defended by
the Chief Counsel of the whole world, Jesus Christ. In effect, he
rebuked his disciples for their failure to understand his death
and its imminence. He had just told them he would be crucified in
two days. Jesus said, "Why are you bothering this woman? She
has done a beautiful thing for me." The disciples called it
a waste, but Jesus called it a beautiful thing. Mary's worship
was a good work. It was acceptable to God. Why? Of all those
present, she alone understood the significance of Jesus' death.
Jesus enjoyed this outpouring of love from Mary's heart. It was
elim, an oasis, a time of great refreshment, for him to
experience the love of the church for whose sake he would soon
die. Such worship is a beautiful thing to God. Who said so? Jesus
Christ himself.
In 2 Corinthians 8 we read of the generosity of the Macedonian
churches, including the church at Philippi, and in Philippians
4:18, these churches are commended by Paul: "I have received
from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant
offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God." Keep
that in mind when you serve in the name of Christ. Such service
is a good thing, acceptable to God. God is pleased with the
worship and service of his people in response to his infinite
love for them. What did the twelve men do? Nothing. Mary alone
expressed her love for Jesus sacrificially, and Jesus did
something for her by establishing a memorial for her.
Some people establish their own memorials. In the Bible we read
about King Saul, who did not have time to obey God, but who did
build a monument to himself. Why? He wanted to perpetuate his
fame after his death. What happened to him? He killed himself.
Absalom built a monument to himself. What happened to him? He was
also killed. The people of this world are ever working hard to
perpetuate their fame by serving themselves and build monuments
for themselves, but they have no time to worship God.
Mary acted in total self-forgetfulness and total focusing on her
Savior. She did everything for her Master, and Jesus said he was
going to build a perpetual memorial for her. When Mary's perfume
was poured out on Jesus, it filled the house with its fragrance.
But Jesus said, not only the house but the whole world would be
filled with the fragrance of Mary's worship, because wherever the
gospel is preached, this story would also be declared throughout
the world. What a memorial!
Seize the Opportunity!
Mary knew Jesus was soon going to die. This was the last time he
was going to be at her house. I am sure she thought, "This
is my great and only opportunity," and she seized that
opportunity. She spent all she had on Jesus.
Jesus greatly appreciated this outpouring of love as he looked
forward to his suffering and crucifixion. His disciples asked,
"Why this waste?" and in the Greek Jesus answers,
"It was for me--she did it for me." What a rebuke! What
appreciation! It was not a waste; it was worship. It was a good,
beautiful thing. Mary performed acceptable worship in
anticipation of Jesus' death. Why? She understood his death was
in behalf of her.
Have you received Jesus Christ? Do you believe the gospel, that
Christ died for your sins and was raised for your justification?
This may be your only opportunity. Do you remember blind
Bartimaeus who sat by the side of the road? One day he heard a
great noise and asked what it was. When he heard it was Jesus of
Nazareth, he seized his opportunity and cried out, "Jesus,
Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and showed
him mercy.
God the Father crushed his only Son in our behalf. Isaiah says,
"He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for
our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon
him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Mary
broke the neck of the perfume bottle and poured its contents on
Jesus in worship because God the Father crushed his own Son and
poured his blood for our salvation on the cross of Calvary. From
the cross of Christ the fragrance of life wafts around the world.
In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 Paul wrote, "But thanks be to God,
who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through
us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For
we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being
saved. . . the fragrance of life."
Oh, what is our authentic nard perfume compared to this
fragrance, that God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for
us all? God crushed his Son. He died that we may live, that we
may repent and believe in the gospel of the fragrance of life,
and be saved. Then we will worship with joy. We will worship
boldly. We will worship with costly worship. We will worship with
contemplation, with thoughtfulness.
Is worship a waste? When I was a child in south India I was
enabled to smell this fragrance that wafted from Calvary. Oh,
what joy I had! The dead was raised to life, and I was taught to
worship, serve, and give. I was made generous toward God, who has
forgiven all my sins, and now I join with that sinful woman,
whose sins were forgiven, who came from behind boldly. She was
probably the town prostitute, but she came and worshiped Christ,
wetting his feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair, and
pouring out expensive perfume on them. I join with Mary, the
sister of Lazarus, who sat at Jesus' feet and chose the one thing
needful, coming into the realization of the gospel. She also said
she was a sinner, and this Christ forgave her sins. The world may
say it is waste, stupid, and foolish, but let me tell you why I
am worshiping God: I am going to heaven! He took away my hell, my
sin, my guilt, my death, and my condemnation. Therefore there is
no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
Have you been liberated from the shackles of sin? Have you been
made able to smell the aroma, the fragrance, of the gospel? This
fragrance does not come from the Himalayas. It comes from
Palestine. Salvation is of the Jews and salvation is of Jesus who
died there. But the gospel is for all nations.
I urge you to consider: This may be your last opportunity. Christ
wants to save you, bless you, guide you, take away your hell,
condemnation, and guilt, and usher you into the kingdom of God,
which is righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
May God have mercy on you, that you may experience this fragrance that emanates from Calvary and be saved. May those who are saved appreciate this salvation that they may join with Mary and worship God courageously, in a costly way, and with thought. Amen.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
"NIV" and "New International Version" are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.
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