732
TH E KING’S BUSINESS
lieved and loved Him. Out of the wealth of her love she had purchased at a cost of fifty-one dollars (a large sum in those days, her whole treasure) an alabaster cruse of ointment, and put it aside to use upon Him when the proper time came (John 12:7). She had understood as none of the rest, not even John, that He was actually to die and be buried. She had not sat at His feet in vain (Luke 10:39). Mary had not stopped to calculate the cost of the oint ment and whether she better not save part of her money for future needs: love never calculates. Mary’s uncalculating love to Jesus proved a safer guide to conduct than the calculating prudence of Judas and the rest of the disciples. Mary’s act was looked upon with suspicion and some very wise criticisms were made upon it. Judas Is cariot was the leader in the harsh criticisms (John 12:4-6). The Iscariots usually are the leaders in criticising the acts of others. But the whole apostolic company was car ried away by the bad spirit of Judas (Matt. 26:8). Censorious criticism is more con tagious than smallpox. Envy lay at the bot tom of the criticism. They could not un derstand Mary’s art, not because it was be low them but because it was above them. The disciples regarded this use of the ex ceeding precious ointment as a “waste." That speaks poorly for their love for Jesus and their estimate of Him, but there are always those who consider money spent on Jesus wasted. To salve their own con sciences, they suggested the poor as those to whom the money could be given. There are plenty who never give their own money to the poor who are willing to criticise others for not giving theirs, especially if they spend it on Jestis or His work.
He told them also that what was to be done for .Him must be done at. once, and just so today whatever is done for Jesus must be done at once. Upon Mary’s act He bestowed the highest possible praise, “She hath done what she could” (literally, “what she had she did”). That is all Christ asks of any one (2 Cor. 8.12). Mary was not looking- for fame when she performed that act but she got fame immortal (v. 9). Jesus be stowed such commendation upon her as He bestowed upon no other, and His wonderful prediction concerning her has been fulfilled to the letter. Mary had satisfied the Saviour s heart—she had poured out her heart s adoration, she worshiped. Martha was taken up with her service, Lazarus was taken up (in part) with his enjoyment, but Mary was wholly taken up with Jesus Him self. Thus she became the one to whom Jesus said, “Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” It would be pleasing to our Lord if we also in this busy, bustling age, and in this age of spir itual feasts, were more taken up with Him self than with our service or our experi ences. Mary’s love was utterly forgetful of self, forgetful of surroundings, forgetful of everything but Him, uncalculating of cost, regardless of criticism. It poured, it self out utterly, and the fragrance of it has filled the world even as the fragrance of her ointment filled the house. Whence this unique love? Mary had understood the message that apparently no one else grasped (certainly none of the Apostles as yet), she understood that Jesus was about to die for her (v. 8).
Thursday, August 19. Mark 14:10, 11.
Wednesday, August 18. Mark 14:6-9.
What a contrast between the beauty of the picture that immediately precedes and the hideousness of this. We are passing out of radiant noon into midnight: darkness, out of love into hate, out of Heaven into Hell. Judas was stung but not brought to
Jesus praised when His disciples criti cised. He told the critics .that they had the poor with them always and whensoever they would theycould do thern good. There was a prick in this for their consciences.
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker