DEVOTIONAL

It is time for another pit stop in the journey through the gospel of Matthew. The encounter of the woman at Bethany with Jesus is brief, but powerful. Only a few verses are spent to capture what looks like a simple gesture. However, the gesture reveals the heart of the woman, the heart of the disciples, and the heart of Jesus.

Before I studied the passage closely, I perused the other gospels to find Mark 14 and John 12 also tell the same account of Jesus anointed at Bethany. In the gospel of John, the account is placed chronologically before Jesus makes his entrance into Jerusalem on what we celebrate as Palm Sunday. In today’s passage, we see Matthew arrange the account toward the end of his book for thematical effect between the plot to kill Jesus and the betrayal of Jesus. Regardless of where the account is placed in the gospels, I made observations that change my view of Jesus. And it changes my relationship with Jesus.

As the scene unfolds, what catches your eye? The woman is courageous and humble in her actions. What do I mean? She interrupts a group of men (Jesus, Simon, disciples). Culturally this is not typically welcomed. This takes courage. Next, she uses her expensive ointment to pour onto Jesus. The most prized possession in her life she willingly gives to Jesus. This takes humility. As the disciples try to shame her, Jesus speaks up. Jesus corrects the wrong of the disciples by honoring the woman’s gesture in Matthew 26:10, “For she has done a beautiful thing to me.” The disciples shame her to believe what she did is wasteful. How could you? In contrast, Jesus responds with delight and not disappointment. Jesus reassures the woman that her gesture is not shameful. He welcomes it. I love how quickly Jesus steps in to silence the disciples before the woman is consumed with doubt or regret for pouring the expensive ointment onto Jesus. The woman’s gesture is for Jesus and only Jesus.

And Jesus calls it a beautiful thing.

 

But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.

Matthew 26:10

The influences of social media and busyness in ministry or church can lead me to respond like the disciples. My motivation to give time, talents, and treasures are skewed to believe there is a right and wrong way to do it. Here’s the secret I found in Matthew 26, Jesus welcomes our gestures given from a place of love and humility. The woman gives her most prized possession to Jesus to show her love for Jesus is above everything else. Nothing satisfies her heart better than Jesus. What are my prized possessions? As a single woman, I have more time and resources than if I were a wife or mom. Do I willingly give to Jesus? Some days it is easy, and I do not think twice about it. I put my list of tasks to the side and be still with Jesus. I delay a night at home recharging to spend with people. However, I confess I have my moments when I look for the recognition. And I hear no applause. And I am disappointed.

The account of Jesus anointed at Bethany reminds me of two things: I am free to live for Jesus unashamedly, and what I give to Jesus from my heart is called a beautiful thing. What a powerful encounter between the woman and Jesus to motivate me to live courageous and humble for Jesus this week.

Q: What is a something you have done in the last week that Jesus calls beautiful? (Sabbath rest, pray back scripture to God, sing worship loud and proud in your car)

 

Additional Reading:

Luke 21:1-4, “Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”