Matthew 26: 6-13
6 And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper,
7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table.
8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?
9 For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”
10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them,
“Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 13 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.”Overview:
Jesus was sitting at a table in Simon’s house, when a lady came to him with an alabaster flask or jar. Alabaster was a stone.
This jar was used to keep expensive perfume pure and unspoiled.
The woman poured it on Jesus’ head. (Maybe not knowing that Jesus would soon die) Jesus in verse 12 explained that “for pouring this fragrant oil on my body, she did it for My burial”
This was a Jewish custom of washing with oil and wrapping a person who had died.
We do not know why this woman poured an expensive oil on Jesus’ head
- Maybe she was led of God to do so.
- Maybe to her it demonstrated great devotion to Jesus.
In her doing so, we notice that the disciples “were indignant” they showed anger or great annoyance. Expressing that she could have put the oil to better use. They considered her use of oil a “waste”
Jesus corrects the disciples asking them why are they troubling her? What she has done is
“a good work”
There will be times when we might face criticism or criticize those serving God. People might show or express complete dissatisfaction for the work you want to or are currently doing.
We might have said or heard words been said to us such as “It is too little, too costly, not enough, too old, too young, to difficult, a waste of time, a waste of money, too costly”
This woman who used an expensive oil on Jesus, could have allowed the words of the disciples to discourage her and stop halfway with pouring the oil.
Then we wouldn’t have verse 13 “I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be a memorial to her”. Jesus was also pleased with her deed, “For she has done a good work for me”.
Don’t be discouraged by these words or even discourage others by these words. If we know one thing for sure- God is not limited to or by anything or even how He chooses to use us.
The little boy who gave his two fish and five loaves could have easily been discouraged by someone laughing at him “put that lunch away, boy, it’s too little for us” Yet, God took it and used it to feed five-thousand men.
Our dreams, desires or wishes to serve God might not always make sense to man’s understanding or logical thinking. God desires to use all His people for His glory and the building of His Kingdom. He also does so however He wishes.
Whatever the complaint, dissatisfaction or mockery is, this is used to discourage believers in working or serving our Master.
Jesus looked at the woman’s heart and the desire to express an act of kindness or devotion to Him and He was pleased with that. We are unable to see the heart of man or man ours’ So no one has that right to criticize what God has placed on our hearts in giving to Him acts of service or vice versa
So, whatever God has placed on your heart or led to you do, don’t be troubled by the thoughts, words, responses or actions people might have against you. In the Christian walk let’s face it, we will always have the evil one discouraging or trying to discourage believers from doing what God desires of us. The enemy may even use Christians like he did with the disciples. Often God has used people in a way that is unsensible to man. You might find that no one understands the purpose God has given to us with regards to how He desires to use us.
Keep Your eyes fixed on The author of our faith and the One who has placed: ministry, service or our gifts to use for God. Use them despite the responses or reactions you may get from others around you.
Fight the good fight dear friend.
Sister as the new year unfolds. May you ask the Lord how He desires you to serve Him: at church, home and in our communities.
Ruth
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