The church has long referred to this day as Spy Wednesday—the day on which the plot against Jesus found its window of opportunity. The day on which the dark conspiracy surrounding Christ's murder leapt forward with the words of a betrayer: "What are you willing to give me?"
But alongside the sinister collaborations of a traitor, we find the beautiful expression of worship and devotion of the woman with the alabaster jar. Scripture tells us this woman was Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (Jn. 12:3). The perfume she used to anoint Jesus was made of pure nard and very costly, worth more than a year's wages. Such ointments were kept in a sealed flask with a long neck that could be broken off when the contents were needed. It was, in a sense, the family's nest egg.
Mary's act was called a "waste" by Judas, and the other disciples joined in his sentiment by rebuking her harshly. But Jesus declared it "a beautiful thing" (Mk. 14:4, 6). Here we see a spectrum of responses to Jesus: the wholehearted, reckless devotion of Mary on one end, the ignorant indifference of the disciples in between, and the hatred and indignation of Judas Iscariot at the other. Let's ask ourselves: Where do I fall in that spectrum?
Am I willing to give Jesus my best, my all? Am I willing to risk public scorn and ridicule for my worship and devotion? Would I give to the point that the world would consider it a waste? Mary's extravagant display of love was for Jesus alone—she did not care about man's opinion.
More than that, Mary understood Jesus in a way that the other disciples failed to; while they were still looking for a political Messiah to overthrow Roman rule, Mary knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior. And she knew His life on earth was coming to an end. Instead of jostling for a position of prominence like the power-hungry disciples, Mary "did what she could" (Mk. 14:8) and it was precious in her Lord's eyes.
By their actions, Mary and Judas both showed how much they valued Jesus, and the contrast could not have been greater! An expensive and irreplaceable jar of fragrant perfume. A dirty, worn satchel of thirty silver coins. A year's worth of wages. The price of a slave. Judas' love of money opened the door for Satan to enter his heart and led to the most heinous sin mankind has ever seen. Mary's love of Jesus led to a personal, beautiful expression of worship remembered even today.
It is interesting to note that the word translated "waste" in Mark 14:4 is the same word translated "perdition" in referring to Judas himself (Jn. 17:12)! The world may scoff at us and our devotion to Jesus. They may sneer and say we waste time and money, brains and potential, passion and energy. But truly nothing is wasted that is given in service and adoration of our Lord! Rather, all is wasted that is not given to Him—even our very lives.
With His death and crucifixion, Jesus showed how much He was willing to give for us—He gave it all. How much are we willing to give for Him? A Sunday here and there? An occasional prayer when things don't go our way? Christmas and Easter? Or are we willing to break the jar and pour out our entire lives to the One who loved us enough to break His body, pour out His blood and die in our place? The cross is Christ's open invitation to all mankind, but it is also His personal invitation to each one of us. To me, and to you. The only question is how will we respond?