Posted on: 13th November 2025

Mark 14 verses 3 – 9

While he was in Bethany - - 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. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly.‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus. ‘Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’

I have often felt moved by this scripture. She boldly took the moment. It sometimes crosses my mind that when I ‘pass on’ it would be good to know that I “have done what I could”. ‘But Jesus, you’re not here on earth anymore; how can I bless you and pour love on you’? OK says Apostle Paul – hear my words:

Galatians 6 verse 10: - - as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Colossians 4 verse 5: Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

I am a member of Otley Parish Church. The building has some beautiful stained glass windows. One of these pictures the parable of ‘The Sheep and the Goats’ [Matthew 25 verses 31 – 46]. Here’s a quote that speaks for itself:

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was ill and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

‘Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and go to visit you?”

‘The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

OK Lord Jesus! Thank you that what this woman did for you is being proclaimed throughout the world as your ‘sheep’ ‘do what they can’ as opportunity arises. And, yes, wages and money are very topical in the public sphere; mammon has a big platform. So let us spread the Gospel perfume of justice, grace and outrageous generosity as we have opportunity.