Untitled Servant/Mark 14:3 - 9
Content Nameless Species
Text: Mark 14: 3 - 9
When Jesus recommends a woman to us, he extols her as "the ideal Christian prize." “Wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of it” (Mark 14:9). I don't think anyone in the Bible has ever received more praise than this. What the hell did this woman do to receive such a great compliment? Can we get such a compliment?
This woman was in possession of a valuable perfume of nad, which was worth 300 denarii, or 300 days' wages. At that time, the virgins put precious perfume oil in an alabaster jar and prepared it for marriage. The jar was sealed so that the fragrance did not leak out, and the bottle had to be opened to use it. This woman woke up before Jesus and poured it on his feet. When this precious perfume was offered to Jesus, the quick-witted disciples accused the woman of wasting something of value. But Jesus commended him rather: "He anointed my body with ointment with all his might, and prepared my burial in advance." The most important thing Jesus did when he came to this earth was to die to save others.
Jesus shows us a new understanding of waste. The disciples were rational and efficient people. But they did not see the most fundamental. The purpose of perfume oil is to buy perfume oil with money if they know its original purpose, but those who are obsessed with rationality and efficiency sell perfume oil and get money. This woman knew how and for whom the precious perfume was to be used. If this were a waste, it would be a precious waste, a holy waste. Our lives are worthy of such waste.
Jesus praised the woman, but did not reveal her name. Many biblical scholars have speculated on the woman's name. (Mary of the Sisters of Mary and Martha, John 12:4-6) But it must have been Jesus' intention not to reveal his name. If he had revealed his name, the title Saint (Saint) would have been attached to his name, and churches would have been built to commemorate him, and he would have been the object of prayer and worship and praise. But Jesus did not say to commemorate the woman, but to commemorate "what this woman has done." He had to remain a "nameless servant." These words are telling us today to change the Christian's interest from office to ministry, from people to works. It is a call to shift our attention from looks to quality, from brand name to quality, and from packaging to content.
Jesus said that he would commemorate only the deeds of a woman without revealing her name. What is important is the act of serving Jesus by pouring perfume on his feet, and for this purpose, a virgin broke his precious alabaster alabaster. Serving is the pinnacle of Christian ethics and the ultimate Christian value. Christians are called to do many things. The goal of missions and education is to serve, and God is looking for those who serve well. By serving God, we receive love from him and serve our neighbor. So, in English, the word “serve” has two meanings. Worship and service. Worship is serving God (worship service) and service is serving people (human service/social service).
We see in the Bible that worship and service are one. (cf. Moses who met God at Mount Sinai, Isaiah who experienced God in the temple, Jesus and the three disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration) Those who see God soon receive a mission toward the world. Worship and service happen simultaneously, and worship calls for service. In other words, our Sunday worship service leads to 6 days of service, and this is a live worship service?
When the alabaster jar is broken, the fragrance will come out, and then the perfume will fulfill its mission. We must also be broken so that the fragrance of Christ comes out. We, too, must be broken to be used. What is your alabaster? When we break this and offer it to the Lord, service will be accomplished. What have you been cherishing and nurturing in the meantime? is it knowledge? riches? family? Is it your pride? These must be broken so that the Lord can use them.
Dr. Schweizer was a Doctor of Theology, a Doctor of Music, and a Doctor of Medicine. However, he went to a remote part of Africa to serve, and spent his whole life serving people who had no access to medicine. People like to call him the saint of the 20th century, not because of his academic achievements, but because of his dedication and service.
As we enter the 21st century, it seems that the Catholic Church will appoint another saint. Sister Theresa left her hometown Europe, where she could live comfortably as a weak and small woman, as a teenager, and ran into the slums of India, caring for the incurable and the incurable until she was embraced by God in 1997, working with the marginalized and the orphans. They have lived together and have witnessed Jesus Christ through their own lives. Born into a laborer's family, he did not learn many things and did not have a beautiful appearance. He was nothing by the world's standards. He called himself "I am nothing." He received many awards, especially the Peace Prize, and the whole city of Kalkata was in a festive mood, but he lived in the monastery for a month and didn't show up. So, it is said that the work to honor him as a saint was officially started in the Catholic Church.
These are the ones who threw themselves at the feet of the Lord. They are those who have practiced the courage of faith that willingly broke their jars. So people admire them. People adore the service of breaking their alabaster jar and offering it to the Lord. Although it is difficult to make a name and become famous, it is possible for us to become a nameless servant. It may be difficult to obtain a title that the world looks up to, but serving without a name is also possible for us. As the Lord praised, “Where the gospel is preached, what this woman has done will also be told in remembrance of her.” “Where the gospel is preached, what the members of the Westchester Korean Presbyterian Church have done will also be told and commemorated.” I hope