While Jesus was in Bethany, “…at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they CRITICIZED HER SHARPLY.” (Mark 14:5) The disciples reveal to us that the ointment used was expensive, but we do not know its exact cost. What makes the ointment so special and why is it so valuable? The ointment came for Northern India and was made of pure nard. The worth of the ointment was about a year’s worth of wages. Nard is made from a plant that grows in the Himalayas and is used as ointment or perfume. The cost of the ointment was worth about 300 denarii, about $54,509 in U.S. dollars. The disciples where not only shocked by the cost of the ointment she was using, but of the amount that she was using.
So, how did Jesus feel about this act? “Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a GOOD WORK FOR ME…She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to ANOINT MY BODY FOR BURIAL.” (Mark 14:6-8) “She did what she could.” Christ’s words take the pressure off. Our world is full of broken, hurting people. But we don’t have to worry about what we CAN’T do. Mary did what she could. SO CAN WE. The result is in the capable hands of Jesus.
-Bill Stockham