Mark 14:3-9  
Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.

Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.

But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”
(New Living Translation)

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There are so many agendas that come into play when someone is about to die. Family dysfunctions are amplified. Some people with old wounds want to settle scores. Some people are on the lookout for what they can get out of the deal. And some people, well, some people grieve so deeply they don’t care what anyone else thinks. 

Here, we have a story illustrating these differing agendas. A man healed of leprosy welcomed Jesus and his disciples into his home. Into this exclusive dinner came an uninvited guest who would not be stopped. She came to give a beautiful gift of grace and gratitude. Irritable men denigrated her. Jesus elevated her. We know her because of this act of extravagant worship. 

The men “scolded her harshly.” Judas was so irritated that he made arrangements to betray Jesus. 

Jesus edified her. 

Death bears an aroma. Jesus went to the cross drenched with the aroma of deepest love and lavish gratitude. 

I wonder if it was the aroma of life and love that helped alert the women to the living Jesus on that Resurrection morning? 

Everyone has an agenda for Jesus. Bring yours to him in prayer. Enter his presence with worship and gratitude. Mixed motives disappear when we express love and thanksgiving without reserve. 

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I will pour out my deepest gratitude to Jesus with no other motive but loving worship.

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Our Father, remove from my heart all the mixed motives of my self-centeredness. Receive my humble gift of worship. Amen.