Matthew 26:12-13″For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
Jesus is in Bethany two days before the final Passover He will celebrate as the Son of Man. We find more details about this supper in the twelfth chapter of John. Just after the raising of Lazarus from the dead, John tells us that Jesus went to Bethany six days before the Passover. Four days after His arrival, they made a supper for Him. This was quite an event seeing that not only was Jesus there but also the one He had recently raised from the dead. No one in those parts could deny that Lazarus truly had been dead and now here he was reclining at supper with Jesus. Add to that the fact that the supper was being hosted by and at the house of a man named Simon who was a leper. Another notable miracle which many in town no doubt were aware of.
As a quick aside, there was another supper involving a woman and oil and anointing with a host named Simon but that is a completely separate incident altogether with many lessons of its own to teach — but for another day.
Back to our supper at hand. This truly is a supper to remember, just two days before the Passover, hosted by a healed leper, attended by one who was dead but was literally called out of the grave by Jesus. It certainly caught the attention of a large crowd of Jews who came, not only to see Jesus but that they might get a glimpse of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
So, what is the offering to be remembered? Simon, opening up his home for the supper? Lazarus’ sister Martha for helping with the serving of the food? All of these are good and we can appreciate what they each did in turn for the Lord. But, what about Mary’s offering? To everyone around, it seemed like a waste of perfectly good (and expensive) oil. This was actually an offering of love. The others had done practical things to make the supper come together (and they are remembered for their part in this as well!) but Mary’s offering was more prophetic than practical — this was just days before Jesus would be crucified.
What kind of a memorial are you laying up in heaven? Perhaps you feel at times as if you don’t do enough for the Lord or you look around and compare what you do with what others do and don’t feel as if you do anything significant. Besides, Jesus isn’t here so there’s not really that much you can do for Him, right? Not exactly. Jesus said whatever you do to the least of His brethren, you are doing to Him.
Your life may be filled with opportunities for offerings that do not make any sense and may even seem wasteful, but it doesn’t look like that to the Lord. Every little bit of your life you pour out for others is an offering that is registered in heaven. Others (even Christians) may say, “Why this waste?” but to the Lord it is a sweet-smelling aroma. Much of Jesus’ ministry was with people the rest of the world would consider a waste of time. Jesus showed us by example that loving others even when it is costly is an offering to be remembered!
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