THE DISCIPLESHIP OF LOVE
‘Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, there came unto Him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head.’
This incident of the anointing by Mary represents the type of discipleship which shows supreme love to Christ.
I. The discipleship of love sacrifices its best for Christ.—
(a) Mary’s alabaster cruse of exceeding precious ointment was the best thing in her possession. The bargaining faculty of Judas saw in it ‘above three hundred pence’=£10 12s. 6d.
(b) But she poured infinitely more than this. It was the symbol and expression of love and communion (Psalms 133). Wealth is in the heart rather than in the alabaster cruse.
(c) Noble love seeks out an object worthy of itself. Christ was to Mary that ‘one thing needful’ (St. Luke 10:41).
II. It has its reward in His commendation.—
(a) ‘Why trouble ye the woman?’ The conduct of the disciples was uncivil towards the Lord Himself.
(b) ‘She hath wrought a good work upon Me.’ A work of love to Christ is a ‘good work’ in the highest sense.
(c) ‘For ye have the poor always with you; but Me ye have not always.’ The highest form of love to our neighbour comes through love to Christ.
(d) ‘She did it for My burial.’ Great expense was by custom allowed in funeral rites (cf. 2 Chronicles 16:14; St. Luke 23:56).
Deeds of Christian love have deeper meaning than love comprehends. Jesus comprehends the deepest meaning. In due time He will reveal it.
III. There is an immortality in goodness.—
(a) Mary’s was an ‘everlasting deed.’ It is a ‘memorial of her,’ i.e. to bring to mind her amiable and devout character.
(b) Only God can guarantee the immortality of any action. Here there is a prophecy which proves the divinity of Christ.
(c) Note here a tacit intimation that Christ intended that a written record of His life should accompany the preaching of His religion.
(d) The memorial of this ‘good deed’ is more widespread as it is more enduring than the fame of the deeds of the Cæsars.