I am not one for perfume. Sure I like things that smell good, but I have yet to smell a perfume that doesn’t have a twinge of “fake” to it. My wife uses a lavender soap, and that works just fine. I don’t walk through department stores much anymore (the internet is a great place to shop), but when I do, I am nearly knocked unconscious by the overwhelming myriad of smells that take up residence at the perfume station. Quite honestly, I am unsure how anyone could differentiate the scent they are trying to sample, amidst the oodles of scents. Lilacs smell pretty. Perfume just smells. 

Why am I bringing this up? Because there’s a story that takes place in the middle of Holy Week that involves a very expensive and potent perfume. While Jesus is visiting with friends and reclining at a table, a woman comes with the scented oil, and well, here’s what Mark says happened; 

Mark 14:3 (ESV) – And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 

At first, this seems like some kind of bad joke. She just walks in and dumps smelly oil all over His head? Seems like something that happens in a sitcom, not a sacred story. But it’s at this point that I must explain to you the history of something called ‘anointing’ in the story of God’s people. Throughout the Old Testament, God called for people to be anointed with oil (have it applied to or poured over their head), in order to consecrate and set them apart for some sort of divine purpose. It was a sign that God was calling them to something special. 

First the High Priests were anointed in the book of Exodus. David was anointed the future king in 1st Samuel. The practice was widely known and accepted as a demonstration of God’s favor and His plan for the person receiving the anointing. Obviously, a pretty big deal. 

Maybe you can see where this is going, except for the fact that many of those in the room couldn’t. In fact, it upset a lot of them very much; 

Mark 14:4–5 (ESV) –There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 

In those moments, as was the case with many others, a good number of those following Jesus completely miss the boat. They see what just happened and have a visceral reaction instead of a spiritual one. They think of what is being wasted instead of what is being gained. Symbolism is great, but that’s not what this is. This is a literal act of preparing Jesus for what is coming next, and He knows it. He wastes no time in letting the others know as well; 

Mark 14:6–9 (ESV) – But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” 

Jesus hears the heart of those who think the potential resources have been wasted, and in a strange way, He tries to empathize with them. He assures them that they will never run out of poor people to help – and help them they should – but in this moment, what she has done is to ready Him for what lies ahead.

He is the new High Priest of Israel. He is their King above all kings. This is more than just a party with perfume; it’s a coronation of the Christ.