Mark 14:3
And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
MARK 14:3
In Bethany, at the house of Simon the leper, a woman anoints Jesus’ head with expensive spikenard. This act is dramatic, emotional, and costly. The oil’s value—“very precious”—signals worship that costs something; it’s not mere ceremony. The narrative contrasts human astonishment with Jesus’ interpretive reply, highlighting the significance of devotion in the face of misunderstanding.
The anointing foreshadows Jesus’ burial (as described explicitly in Mark 14:8) and marks his identity as Messiah in a deeply personal act of homage. The alabaster box embodies lavish worship and generous sacrifice as responses to who Jesus is. It also challenges conventional norms about propriety and shows that genuine devotion may be misinterpreted by worldly standards.
Practically, consider how you can offer costly worship to Jesus today. That might look like giving financially beyond comfort to support ministry or outreach, volunteering your time in ways that stretch you, or using your talents to serve others in need. It’s about recognizing Jesus’ worth and letting that value shape your priorities, even when others question the cost or method.
Cross-References
- John 12:1-8
- Luke 7:37-38
- Matthew 26:6-13
- 2 Samuel 24:24