Faith's Commendation

But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor." But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her" (Matthew 26:8-13).

Mary, out of her love and devotion to Jesus, anointed Him with fragrant perfume in preparation for His burial. Jesus said it was ‘a good work’ that she performed. The words mean, ‘a noble and beautiful work’, which refers to a delicate and refined, almost artistic, sense of the appropriateness of the act, which was lacking to the blunter perception of the rest.

Jesus issued a higher commendation on this act of Mary than on any other act recorded in the New Testament. It expressed a faith that enabled Mary to see, as no else did, the truth of the Kingdom. She saw that Jesus was the true King of Israel, though He was destined to die. It was the same faith Peter expressed when Jesus asked, Who do you say that I am? Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:15-16). This truth was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, just as the same Holy Spirit revealed to Mary that Jesus was to die as the King of Israel.

Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her. As stated previously, nothing we do for Jesus is a ‘waste’, or a ‘dead loss’. Every act of compassion we demonstrate to others is an act of faith, love, and loyalty to Jesus. . . . for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me (Matthew 25:35-40).

All such acts of compassion are expressions of devotion to the Lord and are commended by the Lord. Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord (Matthew 25:21).

“Lord Jesus, may we look for opportunities to bring honor and glory to Your name by serving others in faith, love, and joy. To You be all the praise and glory in all that we do. Amen.”

Pastor