“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you,[b] and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” Mark 14.6-11
Just as Judas and the chief priests were plotting the death of Jesus, God was preparing for His burial. This is a sobering thought. God had come down from heaven, and now God’s time on earth was drawing near. This woman who was lavishly anointing Jesus’ body was not simply honoring Him but preparing His body for what would be next.
Of course, those opposed to Jesus did not comprehend this action. They thought this large amount of money was wasted on Jesus. But in truth, it was just the opposite. For Jesus said, “Wherever the gospel is preached… what this woman has done will be told in memory of her.” And so it is! This past week, as I was in Italy, where the gospel has been saturated, this word of Scripture is proclaimed again as I read it.
The final days of Jesus, the toil and conflict, and His ability to endure, to last, to fulfill God’s plans for His life was incredible. For what was riding upon Jesus’ obedience to be sacrificed was the salvation of the sinners of this world. He could have said “no thanks.” He could have run away like Jonah. He could have rejected God’s plan for His life, but He did none of these things. Jesus endured. And as His body was anointed with perfuming oil to symbolize the preparation for His death, with a sweet aroma rising to heaven, Jesus remained.
When God gives us a large assignment, it is not always easy to remain. Whether it be as a caregiver or a king, a preacher or a prince, God asks us to stay on task and continue until our time is up. Jesus said in John 15 to “remain in me as I remain in the Father.” The relationship we have with God is one of remaining. So whatever else is happening in the chaos of the moment or the calmness of the storm, we remain.
In every one of the Catholic churches I have entered this past week in Italy is the crucified Christ, who remains upon the cross. I reminded my daughter that in our Protestant churches, we certainly believe in the crucifixion, but we emphasize the resurrection and therefore, Jesus has overcome the cross. He has completed the act and we honor it, but He is no longer on it.
Now Jesus remains seated at the right hand of God the Father. As He is called to remain, so are we—faithful, grace-filled, and full of mercy and love.
What is your situation? What is your circumstance? How will you remain for the sake of the Gospel and the call of Christ?
“O Lord God, You are good and You are faithful. Jesus, You endured the cross for my salvation. Help me to remain where You put me, so I might be faithful and true to Your calling. Thank You for this life which You have given us so we might offer You praise and proclaim Your name. I love You Lord and honor You. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen