Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem for the last time, and revisits Bethany, before entering the holy city on the first Palm Sunday. Simon the leper treats him to a sumptuous banquet there, according to the accounts in Matthew and Mark. All four Gospels have a story about a woman anointing Jesus with costly perfume (Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:36-50). The Luke account describes a different event than that in the other three gospels. Read: John 12:1-11. Usually oil was poured onto a person’s head, not their feet; usually a whole years’ wages worth of ointment was not used at once (not even on kings!); usually respectable women did not undo their hair in public; and usually a slave rather than a friend attended to the cleaning of guests’ feet. Like all great acts of devotion, the cost was irrelevant. Care for the poor is important (see Deuteronomy 15:11), but does not have the same value as the lavish worship of Christ (v.8). Meditate: Put yourself into the minds and hearts of the main characters here. Martha served (in what ways do I humbly serve Christ?); Lazarus reclined at the table (am I eager to enjoy his company and imbibe his teaching?); Mary’s offering was extravagant (if his love demands my all, what have I offered him?); Judas was out for what he could get, even if he had to steal from others (what is my motive for following Christ?).

Take my love my Lord I pour at your feet its treasure-store. Amen.

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