Two who are remembered now because of what money meant to them then

By Dean Collins

“People are going to judge you anyway, so you might as well do what you want.”

That much-quoted 2013 tweet by Taylor Swift evidently is similar to comments many have made. In fact, Swift released a song with similar content and was later sued by Sean Hall and Nathan Butler who claim she stole the lyrics from their 2001 song. The lower court ruled in favor of Swift, and a few years later a court of appeals said the lower court judge was wrong, allowing the case to be reopened. In some ways the whole legal process sort of validates the phrases from the song in question: “Judges gonna judge, haters gonna hate, and lovers gonna love.”

Much judging

One day Jesus was at a dinner party when quite a bit of judging was going on. A woman did what some considered unthinkable and wasteful. She took her most valuable possession, an alabaster flask filled ointment of pure nard, broke it, and poured out its contents over the head of Jesus. If you had missed the moment you would have caught the scent as the perfume filled the air.

Taylor Swift wasn’t at the party but those who were there behaved just as Swift described: Some judged, some loved, and some hated the actions of this woman. Jesus was right when he said generations would always remember her; we still read and talk about her today.

Many questions

When we read this story in Mark’s Gospel, we wonder who else was at Simon the leper’s house for dinner? How did the woman in the story know Jesus would be there? Her actions certainly seem planned. Jesus is the central character of the Gospel, but in this story the attention and conversation shifted to the woman who was willing to embarrass herself in a crowd as she expressed her love and devotion to Jesus.

The crowd had questions as well. Why was this expensive ointment wasted? Why not sell it and give to the poor Jesus was always talking about and helping? Did this woman not listen to the Sermon on the Mount?

And Jesus also had questions for those who were chattering about the woman and her sacrificial offering. Helping them rethink their motives, he asked, “Why do you trouble her?”

The comments and questions from Jesus brought clarity to many that night. They might even bring understanding to us today. What is too extravagant for Jesus? The answer must depend on one’s intentions. In this case, while several people saw this woman’s willingness to be embarrassed by her offering and her actions, clearly she demonstrated great love and humility. Nothing and no one but Jesus mattered to her in that moment. And this woman was willing to risk her reputation to bow before him.

True worship

We know from other passages that Jesus isn’t happy with worship done more to impress others than to praise him. Think of the bags of money some threw in the temple offering plate compared to the widow who her gave her last coins. Remember the prayers of the Pharisee compared to the prayer of the repentant tax collector. Jesus has little time for self-centered worship.

Some say this perfume was worth nearly a year’s wages, yet she poured out her treasure because she understood that Jesus was the greatest treasure. Judas, right after he witnessed this event, had clarity as well. He was willing to partner with the scribes and the religious leaders for thirty pieces of silver, maybe a month’s income. He would give up the location and time that Jesus could easily be captured. We wonder if the money he received meant more to him than the woman’s sacrifice meant to her.

This woman’s legacy was established that evening and continues to inspire even today. The decision of Judas that very same night also determined his legacy. I’m not sure either Judas or the woman realized the long-term life their actions would produce. But I’m pretty sure that devotion to Jesus demonstrated by total surrender is a much better legacy than selling out your soul for a month’s salary or maybe a few likes in the economy of social media. People see and remember what we do.

What will our legacy be? Today’s decisions may well determine the stories that will live on tomorrow.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Mark‬ ‭14:3-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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Photo by Josh Appel on Unsplash