How can we apply Jesus' defense of the woman in our daily lives? Setting the Scene “Aware of this, Jesus asked, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.’” (Matthew 26:10) In Bethany a woman poured very costly perfume on Jesus. Some called it wasteful; Jesus called it beautiful and came to her defense. Seeing People the Way Jesus Does • Jesus looked past the jar’s price tag and saw a heart of devotion. • 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” • Daily choice: pause before sizing people up—ask, “Lord, what do You see here?” Avoiding a Critical Spirit • The disciples’ quick critique (“Why this waste?”) shows how easy fault-finding is. • Philippians 2:14: “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” • Replace grumbling with gratitude: when tempted to nitpick, thank God for at least one good thing He’s doing through that person. Speaking Up: Defending the Misjudged • Jesus visibly shielded the woman from verbal attack (Matthew 26:10). • Proverbs 31:8-9 urges, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” • Practical steps: – Correct gossip—“That may not be the whole story.” – Affirm publicly what someone did right. – Refuse to laugh at ridicule. Pouring Out Costly Worship • The perfume equaled almost a year’s wages (John 12:3-5). Real worship often costs. • Romans 12:1 calls us to be “a living sacrifice.” • Modern parallels: – Time set aside for the Word when schedules are tight. – Finances given generously even when budgets feel thin. – Reputation risked when standing for biblical truth. Keeping Eternity in View • Jesus linked the anointing to His burial (Matthew 26:12-13). The woman’s act gained eternal mention. • 2 Corinthians 4:18: “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” • Ask: will this choice still matter in a thousand years? If yes, press on. Putting It Into Practice • Start each morning asking God to help you notice and affirm someone’s unseen faithfulness. • When you hear criticism, weigh it: is it constructive or merely condemning? Redirect if necessary. • Budget generosity first, not last, reflecting the woman’s first-fruits heart. • Keep a record of God-prompted sacrifices—large or small—to remind yourself that no gift of love to Jesus is wasted (Mark 14:6). |
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