168 of 365 - Beautiful Preparation

​In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her. Matthew 26:12-13

“Why this waste?... For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor,” one of the men with Jesus say as they watch the woman pour precious oil over the teacher’s head. I wonder to myself if this disciple even cares about the poor. Such indignation in their voices. Such a contrast with the woman’s peaceful countenance and the compassion in the teacher’s eyes.

All eyes shift to the teacher, Jesus. What will he say? He seems to hate extravagance and is always quick to remind us to care for the poor.

He surprises us all with His response, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.”

Prepare me for burial? He isn’t even dead. Is that what she is doing? Oooohhh…now I remember where I know her. Yes, it was her brother, Lazarus, that the teacher raised from the dead. A quick look at her face shows she is as surprised by his words about his burial as I am.

The teacher continues, “Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

What an honor He has bestowed on her. What the others call a waste, the teacher, Jesus, calls beautiful and worthy of retelling. I know I will never forget this moment.

Questions: Why does this woman treat Jesus as she does? How does Jesus respond? What does Jesus say her legacy will be? Why?