Mark 14:3-9 3And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came having alabaster jar of pure nard, very expensive, and she broke the alabaster jar and poured it over his head.
Sandwiched in between the two accounts of animosity towards Jesus is found a story of total surrender, adoration, and commitment. The contrast cannot be missed and serves as an invitation to discipleship. Jesus was staying in the house of Simon the leper. The village of Bethany was just two miles from Jerusalem on the other side of the Mount of Olives. Not much information is given about Simon since he is not the focus of the story. Simon had been known as a leper, at least among early Christians like Peter, who told this story to Mark. Many forms of skin diseases in the ancient world were labeled as leprosy, though not all were what is known today as Hansen’s disease. Having leprosy made a person ceremonially unclean, which meant the person had to stay away from others.
Mark does not give much information about the identity of the woman who came up to Jesus. John 12:1-8 tells the same story with a few additional details. By putting the two stories together, we get a fuller picture of the possible situation. Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead in the area of Bethany. Lazarus had two sisters, Mary and Martha. John notes that it was Mary who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume. It is possible, then, that the home where Jesus was staying in Bethany belonged to Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, making Simon a member of the family, possibly even their father. It is a sure thing that when Jesus visited Simon’s home, healing took place and Simon was cured of his epilepsy. There are many elements of this story that are unknown and lie in the background, but it is obvious that the Miracle Worker had come to a home of great physical and spiritual need and had changed every member of it.
The story unfolds with the unnamed woman (Mary) pouring alabaster on Jesus’ head. Mark adds the narrative note that the alabaster was made of pure nard and very expensive. The response of those gathered there indicates that the value was worth the equivalent of almost a year’s worth of wages. A denarius was about a day’s wage. Where would Mary get such expensive perfume? Either the family had substantial wealth, which is possible being close to the capital city, or this could have been her dowry or a family heirloom, her inheritance and future. Mary broke the flask, which implies that the jar and any residual perfume could never be used again. She gave all she had, and it was a significant sacrifice. Her commitment to Jesus stands in sharp contrast to what the disciples will do the next day. She becomes the model of the ideal disciple who gives all to Jesus, trusting in him for her future.
For older posts, click here.