verses 4-5:
"But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him said, "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii [ the Greek equivalent of a worker's wages for about a year] and given to the poor?" verses 6-8:
"This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. . "For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always." "
We noted earlier that Martha served or "ministered" to Christ's physical needs on this first of three recorded meals which He attended during the same week. Her serving was honorable and commendable. You asked what was the significance of the woman washing Jesus' feet with her hair? This woman was named Mary, as we have seen. She was more "spiritually perceptive" than her sister, Martha. Mary was more interested in what Jesus had to say and made it her practice to sit at His feet so she could hear every word He spoke in her presence. (Compare Luke 10:38-42). By acquiring expensive spikenard, anointing His feet and wiping them with her hair, she displayed devoted and affectionate humility to one she loved deeply and sincerely. And surely, what she did that night has been memorialized through the ages as a lasting tribute to her. Interestingly, Jesus, three full nights later, during the Last Supper, wrapped a towel around His waist and in a spirit of humility, just like His dear friend Mary, washed all of the apostles' feet, including His betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Our Heavenly Father places a high premium on humility and love. Both are spiritually significant to our Christian development. | 