MESSAGES FROM MATTHEW ON THE MINISTRY OF JESUS:
Ignore the Poor (Matt 26:6-13)
Ignore the Poor (Matt 26:6-13)
Dr. Paul Manuel—2015
Sometimes the commitments we make require us to be proactive, to be decisive and take initiative in what we do.
Throughout his ministry Jesus shows concern for the less fortunate, whether they be afflicted by disease, subject to demonic attack, or financially disadvantaged. It is the third group, those financially disadvantaged, that Jesus addresses in this passage, as he seems to suggest his disciples Ignore the Poor.1
Matthew opens chapter 26 with Jesus’ prediction of his impending death and a description of the high priest’s plot against him. The author then relates a dinner with one of Jesus’ benefactors,2 a man he may have earlier raised from the dead.3 At some point during the gathering, a woman (whom John identifies as Mary, sister of Lazarus) brings oil to anoint Jesus:4
I. What Mary did was beautiful.
This is quite a compliment.7 The word “beautiful” usually describes the appearance of a woman:8
Her act demonstrated two qualities typical of the behavior Jesus values from his followers. The first quality her action demonstrated is that…
Although we often focus on instant gratification, on what will get us “the biggest bang for our buck,” the most favorable cost-to-benefit ratio, Mary’s action encourages us to take a longer view. She was probably not thinking that this simple gesture of devotion would garner attention “wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world” (v. 13). In this episode, Jesus defines further the concept of stewardship and states that it is also beneficial now: Good stewardship is using your resources to enrich the quality of someone’s life (temporally, another’s life; eternally, your life). Unlike the self indulgent lyrics of the American Authors’ hit rock song (2015),11 Mary demonstrated the independence of what it really means to “Go Big or Go Home.”
Jesus says that what Mary did was beautiful. Jesus also says that…
II. What Mary did will endure.
Much of life consists of fleeting moments, events that occur briefly once and then are gone. Occasionally, something happens that will linger in your memory, and you will recount to someone. Often such an event will remain in your memory bank if it is connected to another event, such as a birthday party or a family vacation. So it is with Mary’s act. Jesus states that…
While you are alive, you choose where you will spend eternity, because “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” (Heb 9:27) It is the most important decision you will ever make. Of course, there are other decisions you can and should make as well (e.g., leaving a will). Some people even make funeral arrangements in advance of their passing. Most people, though, do not write their own eulogy, which is good:
Most of the choices you will face tomorrow will be relatively inconsequential (e.g., what to wear, what to eat). Some of those choices will have the potential at least to make a difference in another person’s life (e.g., a kind word, a thoughtful deed). In each case, make a decision for others that reflects your own devotion to God.
What Mary does by anointing Jesus’ head with an expensive oil is extravagant to say the least. Jesus’ response, though, was favorable, especially as he endorses such behavior at the expense of those financially disadvantaged, as if his disciples should Ignore the Poor. But this is a one-time opportunity, made so by his impending death just days away. We do not know if Mary realized how short his time was.22 In any case, she seized the moment to show her commitment to Jesus and received his approbation that the story about her display of devotion would endure. O that our devotion would have a similarly lasting impact!
“Darn!” the man said to his friend while weighing himself at the local drug store scale. “I started on a new diet, but the scale says I’m heavier than I was before.” Turning to his friend, he said, “Here, hold my jacket.” The scale still indicated that he had not lost any weight. “OK,” he said to his friend. “Here, hold my Twinkies.”Sometimes the commitments we make require us to be proactive, to be decisive and take initiative in what we do. Mary felt that her commitment to discipleship required that she be proactive, which she is in our passage this morning.
Throughout his ministry Jesus shows concern for the less fortunate, whether they be afflicted by disease, subject to demonic attack, or financially disadvantaged. It is the third group, those financially disadvantaged, that Jesus addresses in this passage, as he seems to suggest his disciples Ignore the Poor.1
Matthew opens chapter 26 with Jesus’ prediction of his impending death and a description of the high priest’s plot against him. The author then relates a dinner with one of Jesus’ benefactors,2 a man he may have earlier raised from the dead.3 At some point during the gathering, a woman (whom John identifies as Mary, sister of Lazarus) brings oil to anoint Jesus:4
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper,5 a woman [Mary] came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. (Matt 26:6-7)This causes quite a stir among the disciples:
When the disciples [Judas, in particular] saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” (Matt 26:8-9)Jesus’ response puts the matter in perspective:
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you,6 but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matt 26:10-13)Jesus says that…
I. What Mary did was beautiful.
This is quite a compliment.7 The word “beautiful” usually describes the appearance of a woman:8
As [Abram] was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are.” (Gen 12:11)In this passage, however, it describes the action of a woman: “She has done a beautiful thing.” It a rare commendation, occurring nowhere else in scripture, which may be why her deed is so widely disseminated, “wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world” (v. 13).
Her act demonstrated two qualities typical of the behavior Jesus values from his followers. The first quality her action demonstrated is that…
A. It was selfless.The gospels record several illustrations of selfless acts, most of which are financial and all of which demonstrate regard for others.
- As what a wealthy discipleship candidate had to demonstrate:
[G]o, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. (Matt 19:21a)
- As what a widow gave to the temple treasury:
But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. (Mark 12:42)
- As what a Samaritan paid for a stranger’s recuperation:
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. (Luke 10:34)
- As what a rabbi sacrificed on the cross:9
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)What the disciples saw here was the monetary value of the oil itself, the “high price” it might have fetched on the open market. Yet in each of these other illustrations of selfless acts, as in what Mary does, the most important consideration is not the measure of the gift, how big it is, but the motive of the giver, why it is given. Here, it was selfless. …The second quality her action demonstrated is that…
B. It was independent.No one compelled Mary to do this. We do not know if it was a spontaneous decision or something she had been planning for some time. Either way, the disciples complained that what she did was excessive. Their implicit question was not if Mary could afford this extravagant gesture but if it was good stewardship of her funds:10
“This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” (Matt 26:9)Jesus addresses proper stewardship and its eternal value in two of his parables.
- “The Wise Servant”
Who…is the faithful and wise [servant], whom the master puts in charge of his [other] servants to give them their…allowance at the proper time? (Luke 12:42)
- “The Shrewd Manager”
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. (Luke 16:9)What Mary’s action shows is that good stewards must be alert to all kinds of opportunities. It also shows that such opportunities are not dictated by others and may, in fact, be criticized by others.
Although we often focus on instant gratification, on what will get us “the biggest bang for our buck,” the most favorable cost-to-benefit ratio, Mary’s action encourages us to take a longer view. She was probably not thinking that this simple gesture of devotion would garner attention “wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world” (v. 13). In this episode, Jesus defines further the concept of stewardship and states that it is also beneficial now: Good stewardship is using your resources to enrich the quality of someone’s life (temporally, another’s life; eternally, your life). Unlike the self indulgent lyrics of the American Authors’ hit rock song (2015),11 Mary demonstrated the independence of what it really means to “Go Big or Go Home.”
Jesus says that what Mary did was beautiful. Jesus also says that…
II. What Mary did will endure.
Much of life consists of fleeting moments, events that occur briefly once and then are gone. Occasionally, something happens that will linger in your memory, and you will recount to someone. Often such an event will remain in your memory bank if it is connected to another event, such as a birthday party or a family vacation. So it is with Mary’s act. Jesus states that…
A. It will accompany the gospel.…wherever the gospel goes.12 There are other stories, especially ones we tell children in Sabbath School, that may be even more familiar, such as “David and Goliath” or “The Feeding of the Five Thousand” (which appears in all four gospels). There is something about this story, though, that Jesus regards as particularly important. In comparing the three main accounts (in Matthew, Mark, and John),13 the most striking feature they have in common, and a statement by Jesus that appears nowhere else in the gospels, is his assertion about the permanent presence of those financially disadvantaged:
The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. (Matt 26:11; Mark 14:7; John 12:8)Evidently, despite our best efforts, despite the “Health and Wealth” gospel that some Christians promote, we will never eradicate poverty. So, if we cannot get rid of it, should we just accept it as immutable?14 If it will not go away, is Jesus suggesting that his disciples Ignore the Poor? …Quite the contrary, perhaps because there have always been those among His people who were poor, God has always been concerned for them:
Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor…. I am the LORD your God. (Lev 19:10)
When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor…. I am the LORD your God. (Lev 23:22)In fact, Jesus is alluding to a pronouncement God made to Moses:
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. (Deut 15:11)This kind of attention is what God expects from His people and for His people.15 This is the first way what Mary did will endure: It will accompany the gospel. Moreover…
B. It will exemplify the gospel.Because this story about Mary will accompany the gospel, it is important that Jesus’ disciples be familiar with it. Perhaps more important, it is necessary that those who spread the gospel practice what it teaches: the humility of servitude that she displayed.16 By anointing Jesus,17 she did more than a regular disciple (i.e., even one of the twelve) would ordinarily do.18 The task of a disciple was fairly well defined in the first century. Even the female followers of Jesus did not venture much beyond food preparation.19 Personal care (e.g., foot washing) was the responsibility of household servants.20
While you are alive, you choose where you will spend eternity, because “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” (Heb 9:27) It is the most important decision you will ever make. Of course, there are other decisions you can and should make as well (e.g., leaving a will). Some people even make funeral arrangements in advance of their passing. Most people, though, do not write their own eulogy, which is good:
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. (Prov 27:2)Still, what will others remember about you? What impression will you have made? What legacy will you leave behind? How much of what you have done in your life will endure beyond your death? For Mary it was (among other things) this act of service to Jesus. Likewise, what you do in service to our Lord will endure.21
Most of the choices you will face tomorrow will be relatively inconsequential (e.g., what to wear, what to eat). Some of those choices will have the potential at least to make a difference in another person’s life (e.g., a kind word, a thoughtful deed). In each case, make a decision for others that reflects your own devotion to God.
What Mary does by anointing Jesus’ head with an expensive oil is extravagant to say the least. Jesus’ response, though, was favorable, especially as he endorses such behavior at the expense of those financially disadvantaged, as if his disciples should Ignore the Poor. But this is a one-time opportunity, made so by his impending death just days away. We do not know if Mary realized how short his time was.22 In any case, she seized the moment to show her commitment to Jesus and received his approbation that the story about her display of devotion would endure. O that our devotion would have a similarly lasting impact!
For the Bibliography and Endnotes, see the pdf here.
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Jim Skaggs