Christian Family Services Ministry

10-22-2019 – A Word to the Wise – Part 3 – Matthew-Luke Record

The situation with Martha two days before Passover is incongruent with the events in Simon the Leper’s house. Martha’s purpose was to serve Jesus. Magdalene anointed Jesus feet, out of remorse for her manner of life. Matthew and Mark tell us that Martha poured the ointment on Jesus’ head, which Jesus connects with His death. Mary purchased for His burial. No indication is given of preplanning by Martha. The cost was the same; according to the text, its value is 300 denarii. Judas is not singled out as saying anything. However, this is too much for Judas. Another $15,000 lost, his money wasted on Jesus. He leaves the house and sets up the betrayal for thirty pieces of silver equal to 120 denarii or about $6000. No small sum.

Something else that is interesting about all of this is the effect upon Jesus. I think Jesus is amazed at all this expense on His behalf. Jesus being surprised is not something we usually think of. However, it does happen. Notice the surprise expressed by Jesus on several occasions.

The woman who came up behind Jesus and touched Him was a surprise. The surprise was that someone had the depth of faith to try it. This incident is recorded in Mark 5. In Mark 6, Jesus marvels at the unbelief of the people in His hometown. Mark 7 tells of the incident with a Syrophoenician woman who pleads with Him to heal her daughter. He is taken aback by her boldness, and ability to answer Him. In Mark 9 Jesus is amazed at the lack of belief on the part of His disciples after they have seen so many miracles.

John 3 records the conversation with Nicodemus, and in verse 10 Jesus finds it difficult to understand how a teacher does not understand so simple a thing as regeneration. Jesus is somewhat surprised in John 6:64 that His disciples do not desert Him as many others have. In John 12 taken aback by the events of Lazarus’ death and the response of Mary and Martha. He weeps. In Luke 17 Jesus wonders why only one of ten lepers He has just healed returns to say thank you, and he a foreigner.

Jesus is surprised at the anointing by these women. The anointing was an event never referred to or foretold about Him. His death, burial, the Old Testament prophets, but not the anointing refer to all resurrection, betrayal, and entry into Jerusalem, cleansing the temple, and healing the sick. He was so surprised by it that the very next night, on Wednesday before Passover, He washed the feet of His disciples. It seems these women gave Him an experience He now shares with His disciples. Jesus knew how He felt, and therefore, what the disciples would feel.

We have noted much of the dissimilarity in these passages leading to a conclusion that each event was distinguishable from the other. However, there is a common thread, which runs through all three. There is a suggestion of hope.

Some of us are very much aware of just how sinful we have been in life. Some are aware of a huge burden of guilt for wrongs we have committed. For those of us who carry such a burden, Jesus has a personal message of hope. It is a sentence introduced in Luke 7:47; “for I tell you, her sins, are forgiven, for she love loved much—but he who is forgiven little loves little.” Jesus is teaching a unique lesson here. One of the greatest blessings that may come from sins is deeper love.

The depth or capacity of one’s love may be measured by the depth of sin—forgiven. It is that single word ”forgiven” that draws our attention. For those of us who have shed many tears over the harm we have brought to others, who have wished to redo sins perpetuated on others, forgiveness means everything. We hate our sinful ourselves. This is a paradox. The more we hate sinful self the greater the capacity for love of others.

One might say at this point “let me sin even more that greater love may abound.” Not so. The element that begets love –was not the sin– rather the forgiveness.

If we examine the passages more closely, we will find some character traits being revealed. Magdalene was a sinner. Her brazen brash approach may be an indicator of immorality. Simon thinks he knows the depth of her sin—doubting Jesus has a clue. Magdalene’s sins, however, are over shadowed by a yearning, yea burning to turn aside from her wayward path. Jesus affords that opportunity. Magdalene knows Jesus has the power to forgive sins. The Pharisees had challenged Jesus on this topic before.

While Magdalene yearned for purity, Martha is motivated for something different. Martha anoints Jesus’ head, not His feet. Emphasis is on a physical act. The Matthew-Mark passages are for the most part devoid of emotions. Statements like “she has done what she could,” and “worked a good work,” reinforce the physical emphasis. Moreover, it is the act that is memorized—not the woman. She is unnamed. This leads us to an assessment that Martha’s deepest need is for acceptance and recognition. It takes tremendous character to endure silently wrenching unjust criticism and say nothing.

Magdalene’s need was for cleansing, Martha, acceptance Mary’s motives were much more complex.

Death is an event of life that presses hard on survivors. The death of Lazarus, Mary’s brother shortly before no doubt signaled major transitions in the lives of Mary and her sister. Jesus intervened and raised Lazarus from the dead. Gratitude is overwhelming on Mary’s behalf.

Mary purchases this special ointment, which she plans to use for His burial in a few days. Mary applies some of the ointment and massages it in with her hair. Emotionally she has been jerked from the depth of sadness with her brother’s death to the heights of joy with his restoration. Now, once again she knows the depth of anguish because her savior is to die. She prepares her benefactor’s body for the grave.

The text is clear about something else. Jesus raising Mary’s brother from the grave a few days before is the precipitating factor in His own condemnation by the Jews. This must have been a heartrending experience for all involved.