A memorial

When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.  - Matthew 26.10-13

This passage has always intrigued me. I have often thought about it because it is about a woman whom Jesus says ‘this event will be told for a memorial.’ It also contains the phrase ‘the poor you will always have with’ so that it almost sounds like they are really no big deal.

While Jesus was speaking to the disciples when a woman came in, broke an expensive jar of ointment, and poured it on His head while we was reclining at the table. After all Jesus talk about taking care of the poor the disciples were either appalled, or tried to make a point. ‘We could have sold that, taken the money, and fed the poor!’

Jesus told them that the poor will always be there, but that this woman that her anointing was for His burial and that whenever this was spoken of it would be for a memorial for her.

What does this mean? Why is her act worthy of a memorial?

This was, first of all, a unique moment. Jesus was in the last days of his earthly ministry. Secondly, it is in no way making light of the importance of taking care of the poor. Jesus had just addressed that issue. It is merely a statement that in their lives they would be plenty of opportunities to take care of the poor. I am not sure, but it sounds like Jesus might have known that this was not really the problem.

But back to the point, the poor were not the issue here. The issue was that the woman came in and a great personal sacrifice anointed Jesus with extremely expensive oil. This was not the normal oil used for medicinal or cleansing purposes. It was only used in acts of devotion. Ultimately this was an act of sacrificial devotion.

I think the memorial is this. It was not complicated. She simply loved Jesus and ministered to Him. The challenge is simple. Are we willing to make the same kind of sacrifice for Jesus in our devotion to Him?