Jesus entered into the house of Simon the leper who was probably the one whom Jesus had miraculously cleansed from leprosy. This cleansing meant his purification from his sins and their result. We see in this cleansed man the summary of Christ the Savior evidently. The Lord did not leave the cleansed man alone, but he visited, strengthened, and honored him in his presence with his group of disciples that he might not be alone after his ascension. Other guests appeared in spite of the observation and persecution. All participated in a blessed banquet.
Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, also appeared with his sisters (John 12:1-8). The audience itself was an evidence of the power of God in Christ Jesus who overcame all diseases and sins, and even death. Yet, Jesus intended to pluck out the seeds of evil by wiping off the sin of the world.
With her faithful insight, and merciful heart, Mary, the sister of Lazarus recognized exactly who Jesus was, and understood the meaning of this last banquet. She felt the approach of the last hour, and understood that there was but a little time to show her gratitude to Jesus the Healer.
She ran to her house, and brought the alabaster flask, which she might have saved for her own wedding. Then she broke the flask and poured it all on the head and legs of Jesus who was sitting at the table. She did not find any other way to express her gratitude and respect to him who overcame death and disease, and forgave sins.
Jesus accepted this anointment. He realized from it the symbol and indication from his Father who allowed his anointment as the High Priest for his own death and his self-sacrifice.
From everlasting, Jesus was the Anointed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit, for in him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He was not in need of a new anointment, but the love of his Father strengthened his faith that Jesus felt secure of his death.
He foretold frankly his imminent death and true burial that no wrong hope might be concluded out of his acceptance of this anointment, as to accept the throne in the nation or his own wedding. Jesus prepared himself for his death, and prepared his disciples for their loneliness and their responsibility.
Unfortunately, his followers did not understand what the tenderhearted woman did. The pleasant odor of the precious perfume entered into their noses, and their minds began to compute. Maybe their common treasury was not filled because of persecution. Maybe Jesus had distributed the whole contributions to the poor. Anyhow, some whispered among them, and the most talking was Judas Iscariot: “If Mary had given us this precious alabaster flask, we would have sold it, and received a considerable amount for it. It was possible to help many poor people.” Judas complained and became angry because of this useless waste.
Jesus read their thoughts. He hit the disobedient in their innermost hearts, and condemned all the reformers of the world with their false dreams and promises, by his statement: “The poor are with you at all times, even in the paradise of the laborers and peasants. As long as the earth is far away from God the poor, the sick, and the hungry are multiplied westward and eastward with the capitalists and their capitals mercilessly, as with the socialists and their strict regime.
Only the coming of Jesus ends distress and injustice in our world. He alone will end the tragedy.
The Lord showed us the best way to help the poor and the needy. He did not establish a charity, nor did he call for assistance organizations, but he said: “If you wish, you can help the poor in your surroundings. Do not give them alms to get rid of them, and then you go back to your palaces, but bend over them, go down to their level, and look after them personally. They may need medicines, a comforting word, work, professional training, or a scholarship. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom for your love that you may serve the poor, and not only look after yourselves. The poor are the objects of God’s love.
Jesus did not ask of us money in the first place, but he sought our hearts that he might fill them with his mercy and love, and call up our will with determination and firmness in the service of the poor.
Whoever wants to serve and help, and prays to the Lord that he may guide him to his wise services, experiences that the Lord will guide him indeed and give him power not only to overcome poverty in the whole world, but also to help some of the poor near him.
Did you hear this call of Jesus? What do you do? Do you go on gathering money to secure your family and yourself? Christ sacrificed himself. What do you give him thankfully for his sacrifice? Mary sacrificed the treasure of her life for Jesus. She did what she could, and gave all what she had to glorify her Lord.