Title: Mary's Beautiful Works/Deuteronomy 6:16-19
Content * Text: Deuteronomy 6:16-19, Mark 14:1-9, Revelation 2:10-11
The woman in Mark 14:1-9 in today's text is interpreted as Lazarus' sister, Mary (John 12:1-8), Mary Magdalene (John 8:2), or a prostitute (Luke 7:36-50) does not. So I'll just call her 'Mary'.
The word ‘Kalos’, which expresses the meaning of Mary’s ‘beautiful work’, is a word that can be interpreted as ‘good work’, ‘morally correct work’, ‘aesthetically pleasing work’. However, the meaning of 'Kalos' that Jesus used in this context is 'beautiful work', which has a deeper meaning beyond 'giving alms to the poor' (verse 7) and 'aesthetically pleasing action'. ' was.
First, it was a beautiful thing that happened in the special circumstances of preparing for the death of Jesus (John 12:1-8, Luke 7:36-50, Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 8:2).
When Jesus came to the end of his public ministry, it was a very psychologically stressful situation. For that reason, the perfume that Mary poured out was beautifully received as something very noble.
So the Lord commended Mary's perfume as the most beautiful and grateful gift because she prepared for her own funeral. Meaningful gifts received when they are most needed are those that are remembered for a long time and display the most beautiful value.
Second, compared to Judas Iscariot, it was a very beautiful thing.
Judas Iscariot said it was right to give 300 denarii to the poor, but in reality he was preparing a plan to sell Jesus to death. So, compared to Judas Iscariot, Mary's actions are much more beautiful expressions of love. Judas Iscariot sold the grace of salvation for 30 pieces of silver and took the train to hell, but Mary broke the alabaster jar of perfume and repaid the grace with love, so that his most beautiful name is being passed along with the gospel.
Third, it was a beautiful thing because he did what he could with all his might. Mary repaid the Lord's grace with all that she had.
Nad perfume oil is from India, boasting the highest quality, and the price of one jade box was 300 denarii, the annual wage of an ordinary worker. Although Mary was poor, she tried to repay the love of the Lord with all the devotion she could do for the Lord who was passing away. Maria expressed her unconditional love without regret.
The fourth was a beautiful thing because it showed love beyond measure.
In general, love that comes down from the top is a love that cannot be calculated, but the love that someone below sends upwards is often calculated, scrutinized, and devalued.
But, like the other disciples, Mary did not calculate or diminish her respect and love for the Lord by giving 300 denarii to help the poor. It was the right thing to do, both religiously and morally, to give to the poor. In those eyes, Mary's actions were nothing but unnecessary waste.
But the perfume that Mary poured out to the Lord was of the highest value that cannot be measured in money. Mary broke the alabaster jar to mean that she would devote her life and future time, devotion, and material to the Lord who saved her, acknowledged her, and loved her.
Also, pouring expensive nad oil on the Lord's head was a confession of faith in the Lord, the Messiah, and washing the Lord's feet with hair was an expression of recompense for precious love.
conclusion. Maria expressed her love in a dramatic act that goes beyond the common sense. Spontaneous, not calculating, not selfish, doing the most beautiful thing in a timely situation.
That is why the Lord said, “Wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be preached, and her beautiful work will be remembered forever, giving off the fragrance of grace.”
We find that the beautiful love of Mary, who feels that it is not enough even after giving all, is in stark contrast to Judas Iscariot's desire to find the sanctuary because he gave a little and gave too much.