The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 26:6-13, “Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper,
7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table.
8 But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste?
9 “For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me.
11 “For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me.
12 “For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.
13 “Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

When I was a child and needed medical or dental attention, my loving mother always gave me some item that refocused my attention away from what I was facing.

We all need also to be careful as to how we react to situations. There’s an old
saying that says: “Sometimes silence is golden; sometimes it’s yellow.” This time,
the disciples would have done well to have said nothing.

Matthew does not say who this woman was. It could well have been one of several. Yet, for the disciples to have witnessed her anointing Jesus with barutimos, a very costly perfume, and on the eve of His crucifixion; and, then, adding to His mental displeasure, they called it a waste! Unquestionably, it was clearly an out-of-place remark.

First century people possessed “feelings,” just as we do today. Still, the disciples took no note of the loving act this woman was showing toward the LORD Jesus. He Himself took note, however, and commended her for what she had done. “She did it to prepare Me for burial,” Jesus said.

Perhaps we should adapt this thoughtful servant’s attitude as we think this week of the crucifixion of our LORD Jesus Christ. We do not sing or play that others may see or hear us. What we do is engage in quiet worship of Him, the One who gave His all that we might be forgiven of our sins and lead others to Him in faith believing.

Sing softly. Pray sincerely. In everything, show love to the One who gave Himself on that Cross for our sins. He is our distraction from the clamor of the world. Praise His Holy Name!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom