In John 12:3-7 we are ushered into the story about Judas Iscariot taking issue with Mary and her alabaster jar. He’d confronted her regarding why she broke her alabaster jar, anointed Jesus’ feet with the oil, and wiped His feet with her hair. He said, “Why wasn’t the ointment sold for 300 pence and given to the poor?” He said this in Jesus’ presence, certain that Jesus would agree, as He’d shown care and concern for the poor before.
As the stealing treasurer, he helped himself and lined his own pockets. But he disguised his true purpose by feigning that he cared about the poor.
But Jesus didn’t take the bait. He defended Mary with the beautiful rebuke of “Let her alone!” He added, “Against the day of my burying hath she kept this.” Jesus made it clear that all she’d done was in preparation for His burial.
Talk about sobering. Judas Iscariot didn’t see that coming. He tried to stir up trouble, but Jesus quickly shut him down. Let her alone! Jesus didn’t allow Judas Iscariot’s accusations against her to carry weight.
Judas Iscariot didn’t get any satisfaction from berating her about her precious alabaster jar. No, Jesus wouldn’t allow Mary to be shamed because of her actions towards Him. But instead, He expressed to all that her actions meant more than they realized. Jesus was specific about it all. Her actions served a greater purpose, which He openly acknowledged and applauded.
Let her alone!
Oh, how Mary must have felt upon hearing Jesus explain what she’d done for Him. Her heart was full before she broke her precious alabaster jar, and his remarks only raised her level of adoration.
Jesus put a stop to Judas Iscariot saying anything else to Mary about her alabaster jar when He said, “Let Her Alone!”
So, the next time the enemy of your soul whispers (or shouts) a false narrative about your efforts for the Lord, remember this passage and take courage. The devil is a liar and the father of lies. The Lord knows your sacrifice, sincerity, and the significance of it all. This passage reminds us that the Lord is not fooled by those acting as if they care by pointing out what they think “you should have done” with your giftings. He knows the why behind what you are doing. And the only thing that matters is that He receives what you’ve done.
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. John12:2-7 (KJV)
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:44 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)