And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.
Read the room. This is a recent phrase that means picking up on the collective mood of the group, non-verbal cues from some within the group, and the significance of a moment. The disciples seemingly were right to rebuke the woman, who is Mary, the sister of Lazarus, according to John 12. She “wasted” all that money that could have helped the poor. It is hard to argue with it until we realize that Jesus did in fact argue with it. The disciples did not read the room on all three counts. They did not see that worship was going on, that Mary was anointing him in worship, and that it was for a spectacular reason, his burial after the crucifixion. They were pragmatic when the situation called for being prostrated before the Lord Jesus.
This is a good lesson for our church as we minister to the poor in Cape May, that it is done in obedience to Christ but is just one of many things done in obedience. The most important thing we do for Jesus is worship, even though there are many great things we can do for the poor. There will always be poor but worshiping Jesus is a momentous occasion.
Dear Lord, thank you for being our Savior, worthy of worship. May even our service be done in worship. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church