A Fragrant Gift - Part 2

In my last blog post 'A Fragrant Gift - Part 1' we noted that, "The costly, fragrant, perfumed oil 'Spikenard' is mentioned in the New Testament gospels in relation to the Lord Jesus Christ." Two different women are the focus of our attention in these incidents. In Part 1 the woman who was a sinner at Nain is the central figure.

In this blog post Mary of Bethany captures our attention. Bethany is about two miles east of Jerusalem. It is a long way from Nain in Galilee. The incident at Nain took place early in Jesus' public ministry of healing and teaching. The incidents at Bethany are at the close of Jesus' public ministry.

Let's look at John 12:1-7, "(1) Then six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.

(2) There they made Him a supper, and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at table with Him.

(3) Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

(4) But one of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said,

(5) 'Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?'

(6) This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

(7) But Jesus said, 'Let her alone, she has kept this for the day of My burial'."

Mary, Martha and Lazarus were brother and sisters; who lived in their own home at Bethany. Jesus was always welcome in their home. Mary of Bethany was probably the only person who truly believed that Jesus was about to die, be buried and rise again. Luke 10:39, "And she [Martha] had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word." Please note the incident in John chapter 12 was six days before the Passover.

Now let's look at Mark 14:1-10, "(1) After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death.

(2) But they said, 'Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.'

(3) And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at table, a woman came having and alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.

(4) But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, 'Why was the fragrant oil wasted?

(5) For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.' And they criticised her sharply.

(6) But Jesus said, 'Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. (7) For you have the poor with you always and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.

(8) She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.

(9) Assuredly, 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.'

(10) Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him."

There are some important points for us to consider. Both incidents occurred at Bethany. The incident in John chapter 12 took place six days before the Passover. The incident in Mark chapter 14 took place two days before the Passover. It is therefore logical to assume the same woman, Mary of Bethany, was involved in both incidents.

In John chapter 12 some of Mary's spikenard was used to anoint Jesus' feet. This took place in Mary's house. In Mark chapter 14 Mary takes the remainder of her spikenard to Simon the leper's house in Bethany and pours it on Jesus' head.

Both of these loving acts from Mary cause indignation and outcry among the disciples. These acts seem to be the catalyst for Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus; for he only saw a lost opportunity to steal money. On today's labour market in Australia the fragrant oil would be worth a considerable sum of money.

A Roman denarius was the pay for a day's labour; so 300 denarii was equivalent to 300 days' wages. The basic minimum wage at present in Australia is AUD$622.20 per week for a five days' week. This is AUD$124.44 per day. If we multiply this by 300 we get a sum of AUD$37,322.00; a "very costly oil of spikenard."

Mary of Bethany's sacrificial, loving acts to Jesus only brought out greed and contempt in Judas Iscariot, the traitor, for he was a thief.

Judas Iscariot is remembered for his treachery and betrayal.

Mary of Bethany is remembered for her fragrant gift and acts of love.

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point]

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