While Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.
Aware of this, Jesus asked them why they were bothering this woman. She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have among you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.
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The disciples, thinking they were focusing on those in need, were quickly redirected back to Him. Jesus reminds them that He is where their focus should be…yes He said take care of those in need and you will have taken care of me. But He was still there! Today, we don’t have that advantage. Today, we do see Jesus through those in need. Also, He said there will always be poor among you. I take this to mean that as a Christ follower, we don’t always just feed them what they say their need is, but we understand how they got to where they are and we guide them to Jesus who can help with the real issues. To truly love someone isn’t just to throw money at them…it’s to care for THEM. How do you see the least of these? Do you care more about their heart or their visible need?
A Journey With Jesus 