3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.
6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Mark 14:3-9
Simon didn’t get it. He condemned this act of worship and gratitude by a woman of the night who had found forgiveness and grace from Jesus. Simon found this act to be embarrassing, he didn’t get it, but he should have.
Did you notice the name of Simon? Simon the Leper. He once had sores covering his body and was forced to live away from family and friends in a colony of other lepers. But now he’s hosting a dinner party in his home. How could that be?
He must have been healed by Jesus.
And yet, despite having received mercy, he finds it hard to extend it.
It is interesting how quickly those of us who find the mercy of Jesus eventually stop extending it to others.
One of the goals of our 40 days of fasting from something for someone is to keep our minds on those far from Jesus. After all, that’s where his mind is as well. So, let’s extend the same mercy we’ve been given.
Our Prayer: Father, break my heart for the things that break yours.