“But Jesus said, “Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has done a good deed for Me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the entire world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”
Most of us admire someone who is willing to stand up to a bully. After someone has been hurt and put down, it takes courage for others to defend that person. When Jesus saw the way this woman was being treated, He came to her defense. What the guests were using as ammunition to put her down, Jesus called honorable and good. Where the guests had perspective on what would be useful in their eyes, Jesus showed what was valuable in light of who He is.
Even as the woman was criticized by those around her, Jesus saw her heart. She did not have to explain her reasoning or prove the value of what she had done. Jesus knew and came to her defense. Following Christ means a life with Him as the object and focus of our attention and adoration. It is easy to get behind other causes, even under the banner of Christianity. This woman generously gave because Jesus was worthy, and she did not leave emptyhanded. Even as others looked down on her, Jesus saw her heart and stood at her defense. As we follow Him, we share that hope. He will continue to guide us, see us, and be with us in times of struggle for His sake.
- How has Jesus changed your perspective on life? What are ways He has changed how you live daily?
- What are some ways we can lose sight of who Jesus is even when trying to do good things? What happens when we do that?
- Pray and ask Jesus to continue to give you perspective in light of who He is.
