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TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S is in her gift. Three hundred dollars, a year’s wages! She is not thinking of what others think. She is occupied with Himself and her whole being goes out in worship and adoration; Matthew and Mark say that she anointed His felet. John says His head. So He was anointed from head to foot. Mary alone seemed oblivious to all else. She loved Him; she honored Him; she wor shipped Him. Her whole being wemt out in adoration. The veil of her spir itual eyes was swept away and she saw His coming sacrifice. She counted not the cost, but rejoiced in so great a privilege. This most beautiful deed of Mary’s was symbolical. The ointment is a type of the Holy Spirit. It was precious and fragrant but it was not until the box was broken that the ointment flowed out and its fragrance burst forth. So Jesus Christ, the precious vessel, must first be broken on the cross before thè Holy Spirit could be poured forth upon the Church. The odor of Mary’s sacrifice filled the house and has left a sweet perfume upon all the centuries Since. (3) THE CRITICIZING DISCIPLES, vs. 8, 9. “To what purpose is this waste?” The silence of the sacred service is broken by the selfish sound of criti cism. There is always some one to mar the serenity of these solemn scenes. In Eden it was the devil. In the life of our Lord, it was usually the scribes and Pharisees. Now it is Judas whose voice leads the disciples. He held the bag and his affections were centered there. The lavish love of Mary was to him only a sentimental waste. In this scene we get a revela tion of his heart, and it is in strange contrast to that of Mary. It is the cold, calculating, hard, harsh spirit -of fault-' finding, which has cursed the church in all the ages. It has cast its cold chill upon fervent ardor and crushed many sensitive saints. Sacrifice costs some
thing. Criticism costs nothing. What is easier than to find fault? Judas cared nothing for the poor, but he posed as their benefactor. He cared nothing for Mary’s devoted love, noth ing for Christ Himself. The thing of greatest importance is that men and women shall be in line with His teaching, His glorious Deity, His honor. Many simple-hearted, lov ing children of God have been hindered in their Christian life by the cruel critics in the church. Let us learn to speak evil of no man, to encourage all who are seeking to serve and sacrifice for Christ, even if they are not doing it in the wisest way. Pray for them, counsel with them, but raise no blight ing, blistering word of condemnation against them. "(4) THE COMMENDING LORD, vs. 10-15. “Why- trouble ye the woman?” Mat thew records. John writes, “Let her alone.” The Lord graciously received the offering and now generously shields the offerer. He takes her under His wing. When Judas touched her with his tongue, he touched Christ’s heart, for He bore this woman on that kingly heart. “This is beautiful work she hath done.” How sweet to her ears, these words of approval, how comfort ing to her heart! Jesus reads her mo tive, interprets her act in her loving desire to honor Him and commends her. (2 Cor. 8:12.) “ F o r If there he first a w illin g mind, It is accepted according to th at a man hath, and not according to that he hath She had unconsfeiously wrought a greater work than she knew. She had made a great sacrifice without counting the cost, but now He gave her more than she had given to Him. If she had perfumed His precious person for His. burial, He now anoints her head with precious praise, and pours upon her name a heavenly aroma, sending it down through the centuries to be an inspiration and blessing to the whole
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