Lingering Effects of an Extravagant Gift

It was a momentous week. Jesus had ridden into the city on a donkey—to the delight and celebration of a large festival crowd. He had confronted the buyers and sellers as they defiled God’s temple and ran them out again.

This was followed by Jesus’ public confrontation with the hypocritical religious leaders of the day. Yet, with all the drama there were also moments of quietness—like the time spent observing the pilgrims bringing their offerings to the temple. The most famous gift that day was by a poor widow who put in all the money she had. She forever became the model of worshipful giving to the Lord.

Then, during dinner at the house of a cured leper, a woman (unnamed in Mark’s gospel) poured a small fortune in perfume concentrate on Jesus’ head. This extravagant gift created lingering effects.

A Lingering Statement about the Poor

It has been speculated that nard, the expensive perfume, could have been sold for up to a year of a man’s wages. They criticized that the proceeds of a sale could have gone to help the poor.

In defending the act of kindness Jesus explained that the woman was pre-anointing his body for burial. He reminded them that he would not be with them much longer, but that there would always be opportunities to help the poor.

A Lingering Legacy for the Woman

Further defending the woman’s act, Jesus boldly stated that anywhere the gospel is proclaimed throughout the world, “what she has done will be told in memory of her.” (source)

The fact that we are discussing her gift here is proof that Jesus meant this to be taken literally. When we think of extravagant gifts, this example shines brightly.

A Lingering Question

One might wonder how long the scent of the concentrated perfume lingered on Jesus. In just a few short days he would be arrested, mocked, and beaten, and then paraded through the streets. Did the scent of pure nard linger on his tortured body? If so, did his captors catch an occasional hint of it, incongruous to their evil tasks?

When standing alone, gasping for breath as he labored under the weight of the cross, then later fought for any breath while being nailed to it, did the faintest hint of beauty reach his nostrils? If it did, was there comfort?

While we cannot know all the effects of this woman’s gift, as we strive to live the giving life, we can ponder that gifts, in fact, do linger.

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It can help you take a fresh look at the people and the property of your estate and, if you like, we can assist you in your review. Download your free ebook today and contact us for many more helpful ideas about the people of your estate.

 

© 2022 CDF Capital Foundation from the Lifestyle Giving Legacy files