Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was written and recorded by John Mark. More specifically today’s passage is found in the first twenty-six verses of the fourteenth chapter of this New Testament book. “After two days was the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people” (Mark 14:1-2). “And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye here? She hath fought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and when soever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come a forehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her” (Mark 14:3-9). “And Judas, Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him” (Mark 14:10-11). “And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the Passover? And he sense the forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. And Wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the Goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover” (Mark 14:12-16). “And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. And as they sat and died eat, Jesus aid, Verily I say not you, one of you which eateth with me shall betray me. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? And another said, Is it I? And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippers with me in the dish. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that many by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Good were it for that many if he had never been born” (Mark 14:17-21). “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:22-26). “And when they had sung an human, they went out into the mount of Olives” (Mark 14:26). When you come to the fourteenth chapter of the gospel narrative written by John Mark you will encounter and come face to face with the second account of the betrayal of the Lord Jesus—or at least how that betrayal began. If you read the words which are found within this passage you will find the chief priests and the scribes seeking how they might take him by craft and put Him to death. The more you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find John Mark building upon that which the apostle Matthew wrote within His gospel narrative. It is in the opening verses of this passage of Scripture we find the chief priests and scribes continuing their vitriol and their venom which would indeed be directed toward the Lord Jesus. The chief priests and the scribes would continue their vehement hatred and animosity of the Lord Jesus and would continue looking for ways in which they would lay hands on Him and put Him to death. It is actually quite interesting to read the words found in this passage of Scripture and consider how during this final week of the Lord’s passion we find the chief priests and the scribes continuing in their conspiracy against Him as they would undoubtedly meet in the shadows looking for an opportunity to lay hold of Him and take Him by force. What makes the words within this passage all the more astonishing and intriguing when you take the time to think about it is when you consider how the chief priests and scribes didn’t merely seek to lay hands on the Lord Jesus that they might imprison Him but rather they sought to lay hands on Him that they might take Him by force and put Him to death. The chief priests and the scribes deliberately and intentionally conspired together among themselves in the shadows looking for an opportunity to seize and lay hold of the Lord Jesus. Oh they had most certainly conspired in times past on how they might lay hands on Him that they might put Him to death and yet they were entirely unable to do so. As I sit here reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture I can’t help but think about the incredible truth that what we find here would not only be the culmination of conspiracy in the shadows but also how it would mark the beginning of religion’s desperate and frantic plot to destroy and put Jesus to death. CONSPIRACY IN THE SHADOWS! Oh there is something worth recognizing when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture and how what is contained therein is an incredibly powerful picture of the Lord Jesus being the target of the venom and the toxic poison of religion and the religious spirit. If there is one thing we must needs understand when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture it’s that it wasn’t merely man who desired to lay hands on Jesus that they might put Him to death. It would be very easy to read the words found in this passage of Scripture and view it through the lens of man conspiring together against the Lord Jesus, however, what we must needs recognize and understand is that what we are finding here is more than simply man’s hated and animosity toward and against the Lord Jesus. If you want to truly understand the words found in this passage of Scripture you must needs recognize that the religious leaders—and not only the religious leaders but also the religious Jews—who sought to put Jesus to death were entirely and altogether animated by a spirit that not only blinded but had also bound them. The words which you find in this passage of Scripture call and draw our attention to that which is in operation behind the scenes as there were powerful forces of darkness and spirits animating the hearts and minds of men enabling them to conspire together against the Lord Jesus. If Satan filled the heart of Judas to betray the Lord Jesus and if according to the apostle John Satan actually entered into Judas then we must needs also acknowledge the fact that the religious leaders which were present during those days were entirely and altogether animated by spirits which undoubtedly sought to destroy and put to death the Lord Jesus. Having said and written this I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which are found in the second and eighty-third chapters of the Old Testament book of Psalms. If you turn your attention to the words which are found in these passages of Scripture you can and will be brought face to face with those forces which conspired together against the LORD and against the anointed of the LORD. You cannot read these two chapters without encountering and coming face to face with the tremendous conspiracy and plot against the Lord Jesus—not only by the religious leaders and religious Jews during those days but also by the spirit of religion itself. It is in the New Testament gospel narratives we find that while Jesus hung there upon the cross there was darkness which covered the face of the earth from the sixth to the ninth hour. Scripture does not reveal what type of darkness this was, however, I can’t help but get the sense that the darkness which covered the earth during that time period was more than just a physical and natural darkness. When I read of the darkness which covered Golgotha and perhaps the surrounding land and regions I can’t help but be reminded of the darkness which the LORD God thrust the land of Egypt into in the Old Testament. Moses records in the Old Testament book of Exodus that the darkness which was present in the land of Egypt was so sinister and so thick that it could actually be felt. So severe and so thick was this darkness that the Egyptians could not see one another nor see their hands in front of their faces. With this being said I find myself viewing the darkness which covered Golgotha and the land of Judaea at that time as being the convergence of all the unclean spirits and all the spiritual forces of evil and wickedness upon the hill upon which the Lord Jesus hung. The more I read and consider the words found in these passages of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with the incredible truth that from the sixth hour to the ninth hour all of hell itself converged upon Calvary and would mock and taunt the Lord Jesus. I firmly believe that the taunts and mocking which came from those who gathered before and round about the cross was a picture in the natural and physical sense of what was taking place in the unseen and spiritual realm. It is with this in mind I call and draw your attention to the following words which are found in the second and eighty-second chapter of the Old Testament book of Psalms. There is not a doubt in mind mind that if you want to understand religion’s conspiracy against the Lord Jesus you must needs understand the words of David in the second chapter of the book of Psalms as well as the words which are found in the eighty-second chapter concerning another conspiracy against the LORD and against the anointed of the LORD. Not only this but I would dare say that we must needs also consider the words which are found in the twelfth chapter of the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus as well as perhaps the words which are found in the fourteenth chapter of the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah as well as the twenty-eighth chapter of the prophetic book of Ezekiel. What I would like to do initially is call your attention and your focus to the words which are found in the prophetic books of Isaiah and Ezekiel to help set the stage for the conspiracy that would take place against the Lord Jesus when the religious leaders conspired together against Him to put Him to death. Consider now if you will the following words which are found in the prophetic books of Isaiah and Ezekiel to help set the stage for what we will find in the other passages: “And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, that thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! The golden city ceased! The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: It stirrers up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? Art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: The worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake the kingdoms; that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcass trodden under feet. Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy. Land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities. For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 14:3-22). “Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the Sardis, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tablets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou was upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou was perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more” (Ezekiel 28:11-19). These passages bring us face to face with the tremendous pride and arrogance found within the heart and soul of Lucifer while he was in heaven as he would lead an insurrection against the throne of God and against the living and eternal God Himself. Lucifer actually believed that he could elevate and exalt himself to a place of equal stature as the living God and that he could exalt his throne above the stars of God. Scripture reveals how he was perfect in his beauty until iniquity was found within him and he was cast as profane from the holy mount of the living God. I am absolutely convinced we must needs recognize the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the powerful reality of the rebellion and insurrection that was in the heart of Lucifer from the beginning when he was still the anointed cherub who walked in the midst of the stones of fire. The words and language contained within this passage must needs be considered as they lay the foundation for what we find in the twelfth chapter of the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus. It is in the twelfth chapter of this prophetic book where we find the great red dragon which is the ancient serpent who was in the garden—Satan and the devil—seeking to devour the male child that was to be born of the woman who was clothed with the sun with the moon at her feet and a crown of twelve stars upon her head. That which we find in this passage of Scripture helps us to further understand the tremendous plot and conspiracy to launch a full scale assault and attack against the Son of God within and upon the face of the earth. The language contained in this particular chapter would demonstrate the conspiracy and plot of the serpent who was in the garden to utterly and completely destroy the Son of God and how the living God would indeed protect Him. Oh with this in mind consider the following words which are found in the twelfth chapter of the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ beginning with the first verse: “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days” (Revelation 12:1-6). “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:7-12). “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:13-17). The words which we find here in this passage of Scripture call and invite us to understand the very nature of the ancient serpent who was in the garden. It was the serpent who in the garden targeted Adam who was the son of God formed from the dust of the earth and received the breath of life into his nostrils. From the time of the garden the serpent has been targeting the sons of God within and upon the earth and would continue to do so until the time of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ would indeed be the Son of God, however, He would not be the son of God formed from the dust of the earth having received the breath of life from the living God. The Lord Jesus Christ would be the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God who would be the Word which became flesh and dwelt among us. It would be at the Jordan River the Holy Spirit was not breathed into the nostrils of the Lord Jesus as He had been in the nostrils of Adam but rather the Holy Spirit would descend upon the Son of God in the bodily form of a dove. Immediately after the Lord Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River and the Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove He would be driven by the same Spirit into the wilderness where He would be tempted of the devil. After having fasted for forty days and forty nights the Lord Jesus would be tempted of the devil to turn stones into bread, to cast Himself down from the pinnacle of the Temple and to bow down and worship Him. Of course we know and understand the Lord Jesus resisted and overcame each of the ancient serpent’s temptations and as a direct result the serpent would flee from Him. The Lord Jesus would resist the devil on all fronts and all accounts and as a direct result of this the serpent would depart from Him until a more opportune time would present itself. It is with this being said there is a great need to recognize and pay attention to the words which are found in the second and eighty-second chapters of the Old Testament poetic book of the Psalms. Within this Old Testament book and within these chapters we not only find a cosmic council being held against the LORD and against His anointed but we also find a conspiracy against the LORD and against His anointed among the kings and rulers of the earth. In fact I would dare say that before we consider the words which are found in the second chapter of the poetic book of the Psalms we need to first consider the words which are found in the eighty-second chapter of this book. The words found in this passage of Scripture bring us face to face with the conspiracy which would take place in the unseen and spiritual realm as the gods of the nations would indeed conspire together against the Lord Jesus. Oh with this being said I invite you to consider if you will the following words which are found in both the eighty-second and second chapters of the Old Testament poetic book of the Psalms: “God Stan death in the congregation of the mighty; He judge the among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the person of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and the needy: Rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; ;they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth: For thou shalt inherit all nations” (Psalm 82:1-8). “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: The LORD shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee. Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O y. Kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (Psalm 2:1-12). Please don’t miss the incredible importance of the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for they help draw our attention to the absolutely astounding reality of the conspiracy against the LORD and against His anointed. Both the eighty-second chapter and second chapters of the Old Testament poetic book of the Psalms present us with a powerful picture of the conspiracy that takes place behind the scenes in the unseen and spiritual realm—that which is largely unnoticed by those whose spiritual senses are not in tune with the Holy Spirit. The words and language contained here in these chapters bring us face to face with the conspiracy of the watchers, the unclean spirits, the principalities, the demons and the forces of darkness as they conspire together against the LORD and against His anointed. What we find here are powerful examples of what we see in the opening verses of the fourteenth chapter of the New Testament gospel written by John Mark. It is in the opening verses of this gospel we are brought face to face with the incredible truth of the chief priests and scribes spearheading the conspiracy to lay hold of Jesus that they might take Him by force. Their ultimate objective was not merely to take Jesus by force and remove Him from the picture for they did in fact seek to put Him to death. The conspiracy of religion and the religious leaders present during the days of the Lord Jesus was indeed to lay hands on Him that they might put Him to death that through death they might once and for all be rid of His works and words in the midst of the land. Oh this is something we must needs recognize and understand for it calls and draws our attention to the truth surrounding the incredible conspiracy which surrounded the Lord Jesus and how the religious leaders of that day sought to destroy Him and completely eradicate Him from the picture. If you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find that after two days was the feast of the Passover and of unleavened bread and how the chief priests and scribes sought how they might take him to craft and put him to death. This is something we must needs understand when reading the words found here for it wasn’t merely that they desired to take the Lord Jesus by craft for they also desired to do so by craft. The chief priests and the scribes desired to take Jesus by stealth and craft that they might deal with Him swiftly and decisively. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this and how incredible it truly is for within it we come face to face with the tremendous hatred the chief priests and the scribes had toward and against the Lord Jesus and how they were willing to do anything and everything they needed to completely remove and destroy Him. What we find within this passage, however, is that it wasn’t merely that the chief priests and the scribes were looking to take Jesus cry craft and put Him to death for we also read of the action(s) and intention(s) of Judas Iscariot. In the opening two verses of this passage we find the chief priests and scribes seeking to take Jesus by craft that they might put Him to death while in verses ten and eleven we find Judas who was one of the twelve going unto the chief priests to betray Him unto them. What we must needs consider when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture is how how the events which would lead to the Lord Jesus being put to death wasn’t merely about the desire of the chief priests and the scribes to lay hold of Him that they might put Him to death. The Lord Jesus would be delivered into the hands of His enemies and adversaries—the chief priests and the scribes—because one of His own disciples desired to betray Him. With this being said it’s important to note that Scripture doesn’t reveal why Judas sought to betray Jesus into the hands of the chief priests and why he would agree to meet with them. What we know for sure within Scripture is that Judas who was one of the twelve would go unto the chief priests to betray Jesus unto them and how his presence among them made them glad. What we find within this passage of Scripture is one who was willing to conspire together with the chief priests for a certain price and piece of money that He might betray Jesus into their hands as well as one who was willing to take that which was costly and that which was precious to her and break it upon the Lord Jesus in an act of worship. While in the opening two verses of this chapter we find the chief priests and scribes conspiring together to take Jesus by force that that they might put Him to death and while in verses ten and eleven we find Judas Iscariot going unto the chief priests to betray Jesus unto them we find another individual who was neither interested in betraying the Lord Jesus nor taking Him by craft that they might put Him to death. Oh I absolutely love how what we find in this passage of Scripture is an incredibly beautiful picture of this woman who would enter into the house of Simon the leper—perhaps uninvited and without advanced warning and notice—and would be determined to pour out her worship upon the Lord Jesus. That which we find in between conspiracy and betrayal is an act of worship—and not only an act of worship but also an act of incredible humility. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for within each of the four gospels we find the narrative and account of this woman who dared enter into the house where Jesus was uninvited with one single ambition and one solitary desire and pursuit—that she might worship at the feet of Jesus. This woman was determined to enter into the house bearing that which perhaps most precious and costly to her and not only breaking it at the feet of Jesus but also engaging in worship and humility before Him at His feet.

Oh with this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which are found in the twenty-seventh and eighty-fourth chapters of the Old Testament book of Psalms. There is not a doubt in my mind we must needs pay close attention to the words which are found within these two passages of Scripture for they perfectly describe the attitude and mindset of one whose singular ambition is to worship before the LORD God and to worship in His presence. This woman would not only enter into this house uninvited but she would also come bearing that which she knew precisely what she would do. If there is one thing we must needs recognize when reading the words found in this passage it’s that this woman knew exactly what she would bring unto the Lord Jesus and knew exactly what she would do with it. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this woman did indeed and did in fact know exactly what she wanted to do with this alabaster box and how she would view it is a seemingly insignificant object to break at the feet of the Lord Jesus. This woman had this alabaster jar which contained a precious and costly ointment and deliberately and intentionally chose to enter into this house that she might pour it out upon the feet of the Lord Jesus. This woman had resolved and purposed within her heart that she would indeed take this alabaster box and would bring it into the presence of the Lord Jesus. Much like the wise men from the east who came bearing gifts and presented them unto Jesus while He was a young child—gold, frankincense and myrrh—so also would this woman bring a very precious ointment of spikenard and present it unto the Lord Jesus. What we must needs recognize and understand is this continue act of worship as a fragrant aroma in the sight and presence of the living God. If you read the four New Testament gospel narratives you will find that while the Lord Jesus was still a young child the wise men would come bearing gifts with two of them being centered upon fragrance and aroma. Two of the gifts which the wise men would bring unto the Lord Jesus would be frankincense and myrrh which is something we need to recognize for the presenting of these gifts was undoubtedly an act of worship before this One whose star they had seen appear in the east. Oh having said this I find it absolutely necessary to draw your attention to the narrative of the wise men as presented within the gospels before transitioning to the narrative of this woman and her offering of that which was fragrant and costly to her:

“ Now when Jesus was born in Beth-Lehrer of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Beth-lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privileges called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Beth-lehem and said, Go and search diligently for yhe young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, the rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way” (Matthew 2:1-12).

I am absolutely convinced there is a great need to pay close attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for from the time the young child was born wise men from the east would come bearing gifts which they would present unto Him. Oh there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder what it was like in Beth-lehem when the wise men from the east had appeared out of nowhere bearing gifts which they would present unto the Lord Jesus. What was it like as Mary and Joseph watched and witnessed as these wise men from the east would not only come that they might worship before the Lord Jesus but might also bear and present gifts unto them? Imagine the scene there in the midst of the land as these wise men would show without advanced notice and without warning and would come that they might worship before the Lord Jesus. These wise men would indeed come and appear before the Lord Jesus not only that they might worship before Him but also that they might present their gifts unto Him. I have to admit there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if during their presentation of gifts unto the Lord Jesus that which contained the frankincense and myrrh was opened in the house and filled the house with the fragrance and aroma. Imagine these wise men from the east showing up in the midst of the house bearing gifts and those vessels which carried the gold and frankincense would be presented unto the Lord Jesus—not only as a gift but also as a sign of His burial and the assignment for which He would be sent. Two of the gifts which the wise men presented unto the Lord Jesus were fragrant offerings which we have more often than not attributed to worship. Oh I can’t help but think about what the house was like as these gifts were not only presented unto the Lord Jesus but also as the impact of the gifts would be felt and witnessed in the midst of it. The wise men from the east would indeed show up bringing precious gifts unto the Lord Jesus—gifts which they had undoubtedly travelled from the east carrying that they might present them unto the Lord Jesus as a sign and symbol of worship.

With this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which we find after the Lord Jesus was put to death and His body buried in a borrowed tomb for just as wise men would show up after His birth bearing gifts of frankincense and myrrh so also would a rich man and a Pharisee show up at His death and prepare His body with spices as a sign of worship and humility. Scripture is unclear whether or not Joseph of Aramathaea and Nicodemus trusted and believed the Lord Jesus would raise from the dead, however, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that these two men would show up after the death of Jesus and would not only beg the body of the Lord Jesus but would also care for the body before laying it in the borrowed tomb. This rich man and Pharisee would indeed show up after the death of the Lord Jesus to preserve and protect His body that they might bury it in a tomb. Oh if there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand is that these men would not only preserve and protect the body of the Lord Jesus as it hung their lifeless upon the cross not knowing what would become of it but they would also prepare it for burial and bury it with spices of fragrant aroma. If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand it’s that these men would show up carrying precious spices and ointments that they might bury the Lord Jesus completely and utterly saturated in this fragrant aroma. It’s almost as if this fragrance would mask the smell of death and would in and of itself be a fragrant aroma before and in the sight of the living God. The Lord Jesus’ body would be buried in the midst of a borrowed tomb and yet his grave clothes would indeed be prepared with ointments and spices that it might help prevent decay. This rich man and Pharisee would engage themselves in a wonderful and powerful act of worship and humility as they would not only preserve the body of the Lord Jesus but they would also prepare His body for the burial by using these fragrant spices and ointments. Oh consider if you will the following words which are found within the four gospel narratives concerning this rich man and the Pharisee who would come and claim the body of the Lord Jesus that they might preserve it—and not only preserve the body of the Lord but also bury it with a fragrant aroma similar to that which was brought unto Him when He was just a young child:

“When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre” (Matthew 27:57-61).

“And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, and honorable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marveled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and w rapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun” (Mark 15:42-16:2).

“And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counseller; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath according to the commandment. Now upon the first day of the week, verily early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre” (Luke 23:50-24:2).

“And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the fist came to Jesus by night, and brought a moisture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jew’s preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she run the, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him” (John 19:38-20:2).

THE SPICES IN THE HOUSE! THE SPICES IN THE TOMB! THE SPICES AT THE FEET & THE SPICES UPON THE BODY! THE FRAGRANCE IN THE HOUSE & THE FRAGRANCE IN THE TOMB! I have to admit that I absolutely love the words and language that is found within these passages for not only do they paint a picture of Mary and other women seeking to come to the tomb with spices whereby they would anoint the crucified and buried body of the Lord but we also find the apostle John writing how Nicodemus accompanied Joseph of Arimathaea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial. Scriputre reveals how Nicodemus would come unto Joseph of Arimathaea bringing a moisture of myrrh and aloes which were about a hundred pounds in weight. Undoubtedly this mixture of myrrh and aloes would have been to anoint the body of the Lord Jesus as it was lying in the borrowed tomb to prevent decay from setting in. The fact that Mary Magdalene and other women sought to come to the tomb bringing their own spices suggested they desired to anoint the body of the Lord Jesus there in the tomb to accomplish the same thing. What I can’t help but wonder is how many times Mary Magdalene would have come to the tomb had the Lord Jesus not been raised from death to life on the third day. Let’s say the Holy Spirit did not raise the Lord Jesus Christ from death to life on the third day how often would Mary and the other women have come to the tomb bringing their spices with them to anoint the body of the Lord Jesus? Not only this but I can’t help but think about the fact that what we might very well have seen in this particular instance was a practice of “anointing the body of the Lord Jesus” throughout and during the years. Eventually Mary Magdalene and the other women would have themselves died and unless they taught others how to go to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus it might have stopped with them. Oh there is something which we must needs recognize and understand concerning this for this is why I believe Mary’s act prior to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus was so incredibly important. There is not a doubt in my mind that Mary’s act of anointing the Lord Jesus was a powerful picture—not only of a memorial of her and her worship but also of the worship we are to exhibit in the presence of the Lord Jesus.

I sit here today thinking about the fact that while Mary never got the opportunity to anoint the dead body of the Lord Jesus with the spices and ointment she had prepared and brought with her she was indeed able to anoint the very much alive body of Jesus with the ointment of very precious ointment and spikenard. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for Mary would seek to come to the come thinking and believing she would have been able to anoint the body of the Lord Jesus—perhaps calling into remembrance the words the Lord Jesus had spoken unto her concerning her act of anointing His body with the fragrant perfume as preparing Him for His burial. It is very possible that Mary sought to continue anointing the body of the Lord Jesus—even after the death of the Lord Jesus and sought to come unto the tomb with spices and ointments she had prepared. She had already anointed the physical body of Jesus while He was still alive and now she thought she would anoint the deceased body of the Lord Jesus in the midst of the tomb. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding Mary’s coming to the tomb thinking and believing within her heart and soul that she would actually be able to anoint the physical body of Jesus. IN all reality I can’t help but get the sense that the Holy Spirit raised the Lord Jesus up from the dead before these women could come to the tomb and anoint His physical body so as to avoid a potential precedent of anointing the dead body of the Lord Jesus. The Father would not allow Mary, nor any of the other women, nor even any one else to come to the tomb and anoint the lifeless body of His eternal and only begotten Son. Mary had anointed the physical body of the Lord Jesus and it was not only preparation for His burial but it was also a sign of His resurrection as well for only the physical body of Jesus alive can be anointed with tears and with perfume. Oh we must recognize and understand how incredibly significant this truly is for there is something to be said about Mary having entered into the house bringing with her an alabaster jar filled with very special ointment very costly and precious. This ointment would indeed be poured out upon the head and physical body of the Lord Jesus as a symbol of worship and as preparation for His burial, however, we must also recognize and understand that only the physical body of Jesus can be anointed while He is alive.

Having said and written this I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the accounts of Mary entering into the house of Simon bringing with her an alabaster jar filled with costly perfume and a fragrant ointment. There is not a doubt in my mind that we must needs recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found within these passages of Scripture for within them we find Mary performing an act of worship that would not only prepare Jesus for His burial but would also serve as a memorial for her throughout the ages. Jesus Himself would declare that wherever the gospel was preached this woman’s testimony and memorial would be spoken of unto her credit. There is a great need for us to recognize this for Mary’s actions would not only prepare Jesus’ body for burial but it would also signify and reveal a mystery in worship. This mystery in worship is centered upon the reality that we do not anoint our Savior’s dead body which is buried in the tomb but we worship before and anoint our Savior’s body being very much alive. We don’t worship our Lord and Master whose physical body is still buried in the tomb in the land of Israel and in the city of Jerusalem but rather we worship our Savior who has been raised from death to life and has ascended unto the right hand of the Father which is in heaven. We worship at the feet of one who is not dead and whose lifeless body lies in a borrowed tomb but we worship at the feet of One whose feet are as burnished bronze and who is set down at the right hand of the Father. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider—not only the narrative and account of Mary at the feet of Jesus with the alabaster box but also Mary at the feet of Jesus hearing and listening to the words He taught and spoke to her:

“And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? She hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and when soever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: She is come a forehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her” (Mark 14:3-9).

“Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, there came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? For she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her” (Matthew 26:6-13).

“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had hidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that touché the him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answered said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace” (Luke 7:36-50).

“Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 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. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 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. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burning hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always” (John 12:1-8).

In each of these passages we see Mary entering into the house with her alabaster jar of costly and precious ointment which she would bring with her. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind Mary knew exactly what she was doing and what she wanted to do when she made her way to the house—and not only when she made her way to the house but also entered. I firmly believe that Mary deliberately and intentionally entered into this house with her alabaster box in which was the precious and costly ointment knowing that she would break it at the feet of Jesus and allow the contents to be poured out upon Him. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for this would not be the first time Mary would be at the feet of Jesus. If you turn and direct your attention to the final verses of the tenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by Luke you will find Jesus entering into a certain village and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. This Martha would have a sister called Mary which would sit at the feet of Jesus. The beloved physician Luke writes and records how Martha would vent and complain unto Jesus that her sister Mary sat at His feet while she herself labored and was left to serve alone. It would be Jesus—undoubtedly filled with compassion for both sisters—who would lovingly speak to Martha concerning the condition of her heart and her soul. It would be Jesus who would reveal unto Martha her desire to serve and how that desire would cause her to be careful and troubled about many things. What the Lord Jesus would also declare is that only one thing was needful and her sister Mary had chosen that good part which would not be taken away from her. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for there would indeed be two accounts of Mary at the feet of Jesus—the first to hear and listen to the words which He would speak and another to break the alabaster box containing the precious ointment upon His feet. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the final verses of the tenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by Luke:

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cambered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).

The words which we find here in these passages of Scripture concerning Mary are absolutely astounding when you take the time to think about them for they call and draw our attention to something which is truly power about this use of fragrance and spices. Scripture makes it very clear that Mary was on her way to the tomb with spices which she herself might have prepared to anoint the body of the Lord Jesus. We know from the gospel narrative written by the apostle John that Nicodemus would accompany Joseph of Arimathaea after the body of Jesus was given unto Him after His death. Nicodemus brought with him a great amount of spices and ointment that would have been used in the grave clothes and upon the physical body of the Lord Jesus to try and help prevent the day of that body. What makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to think about it is when you consider the tremendous truth that Mary was on her way to the tomb on the morning of the third day with spices in hand that she might anoint the physical body of the Lord Jesus. I continue to be absolutely and incredibly captivated by this particular truth for I can’t help but wonder what would and could have happened had the Holy Spirit not raised the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Let’s say the Holy Spirit had not raised the Lord Jesus from the dead the stone which was before the tomb would have continued to have been before the entrance of the tomb. In fact when Mary and other women that were with her were on their way to the tomb they themselves wondered who would roll away and remove the stone which was before the entrance of the tomb. Much to their surprise, however, when they arrived at the tomb the stone was already rolled away. Assuming they had arrived at the tomb, and assuming they had obtained help rolling away the stone from the entrance of the tomb and assuming the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus was still present in the midst of the tomb they might very well have been able to anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus with the spices they had brought with them.

I read the words which are found within the four gospel narratives and I absolutely love that Mary was never afforded the opportunity to anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus. If you read the four gospel narratives you will find Mary was able to anoint the physical body of the Lord Jesus while He was still alive and when she came to anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus the stone was already rolled away from the tomb and the Holly Spirit had already raised Him from the grave. The graveclothes which undoubtedly had been prepared with the spices and ointments which Nicodemus had prepared and brought for the burial of the Lord Jesus were still lying in the grave—perhaps even still containing the fragrance from the spices and ointments. What makes this all the more intriguing when you think about it is imagine what would and could have happened had the Lord Jesus never been raised from the dead. Not only would our faith be in vain and there be no gospel if He had not been raised from death to life as the apostle Paul had written but so also must we recognize that Mary and the other women might have given themselves to routinely visiting the tomb bringing spices with them that they might anoint the physical body of the Lord Jesus. Mary and the other women might have continued showing up at the tomb where the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus was as they continued to anoint that body—perhaps as a sign of reverence and homage to Him. Mary and the other women—perhaps even the disciples themselves and various other followers of the Lord Jesus—perhaps would and could have continued to show up at the grave bringing spices with them that they might anoint the physical body of the Lord Jesus. What I so love about the gospel narrative is that although Mary did head to the tomb with spices she herself had prepared for the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus she would not actually get the opportunity to anoint the body of Jesus.

I sit here today thinking about and considering how absolutely beautiful this truth is for there is a profound mystery that is contained within this passage of Scripture as Mary would anoint the feet and head of the Lord Jesus while He was still alive. Mary would be permitted to break open the alabaster box in the midst of the house and pour out its contents upon the head and feet of the Lord Jesus. Not only this but she would also anoint the feet of Jesus with her tears and dry them with her hair as an ultimate act of humility and worship before Him. When those who were present tried to rebuke her for her crazy act of worship and love the Lord Jesus would rebuke them and instead command them to leave her alone. Not only this but the Lord Jesus would also declare unto them that wherever the gospel would be preached this woman’s story would be recounted as a testimony and memorial for her. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for there is something absolutely breathtaking in thinking about how although Mary was on her way with spices to anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus—perhaps even as she had done while He was still alive—she would not be permitted to do so. The Holy Spirit had already raised the Lord Jesus from death to life very early in the morning on the third day and by the time Mary and the other women arrived to the tomb they would be unable to find the body within the tomb—and not only find the body within the tomb but also anoint the body with the spices which they had brought with them. Oh I can’t help but wonder what happened to the spices and that which they had prepared for the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus. What became of the spices and that which was prepared and brought unto the tomb to be used to anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus Christ? Scripture is entirely and altogether unclear concerning the spices which were brought and what would and did indeed become of them.

I am absolutely captivated by this particular truth that Mary was not permitted to anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus for it was a beautiful prophetic picture that the disciples and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ were not called to anoint a lifeless body buried in a borrowed tomb. I continue to be absolutely amazed with the fact that it might very well have been possible for Mary and the other women to continue showing up at the tomb anointing the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus and that might very well have been something that would have been continued and carried out throughout the generations. Imagine from the time of Mary and the other women—perhaps even until now—men and women showing up at the grave of the Lord Jesus and anointing His lifeless body as a sign of honor, reverence and worship. What we must needs recognize, however, is that neither Mary, nor the other women, nor even we ourselves were called to anoint the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus. We as the saints of God and the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ were indeed called to anoint the feet of Jesus through worship. For two thousand years the saints of God and the disciples of Christ have indeed anointed the feet of the Lord Jesus, however, they would do it through their worship, their reverence, their honor and their praise. This is something we must needs understand and recognize for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding us as the saints of God and the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ and how Mary’s anointing of the body of Jesus while He was still alive is an incredibly beautiful picture of our being called and invited to anoint the feet of Jesus who is not only very much alive having been raised from death to life but who is also seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. We as the saints of God and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ have not been called to visit a tomb wherein the lifeless body of the Lord Jesus still lies having been there for more than two thousand years since His death and burial.

I bring this writing to a close by calling and drawing your attention to the incredible and wonderful truth surrounding Mary’s anointing Jesus with the ointment which was contained in the alabaster box which she had brought with her and broken at the feet of Jesus. Mary would break the alabaster box in the house and as a result would completely fill the house with the fragrance of that ointment which was contained inside. Oh we must needs recognize and understand this for there is something truly unique and powerful about this when you take the time to think about it. We as the saints of God and disciples of Christ have not been called to honor and reverence a lifeless Christ whose physical body is still in the midst of the tomb. We as the saints of God and disciples of Christ have been called to worship, reverence, honor and praise the Lord Jesus who is very much alive having been raised from death to life on the third day. That which we find in the gospel narratives are incredibly unique and powerful when you take the time to think about it for the fact that Mary was able to anoint the feet of Jesus and His head with perfume and tears not only speaks of preparing His physical body for burial but it also points to the fact that we ourselves have been called to anoint the Lord Jesus in our worship and in our reverence and honor. Oh that we would truly recognize and understand that we have indeed and have in fact been called to be those who anoint the Lord Jesus—not with perfumes, ointments and spices but with our worship, with our praise, with our honor, with our reverence and with our fear. Oh that we would be those who would indeed bring our worship, our praise, our honor, our fear, our reverence, and even our tears as an offering whereby we anoint the feet of the Lord Jesus who has not only been raised from death to life but who is also seated at the right hand of the Father which is in heaven. Oh that we would be those who would indeed anoint a Jesus who is very much alive and having been raised from the dead with the perfume and fragrance of our worship rather than thinking we need to show up at the tomb where His lifeless body might have lie that we might anoint it with physical spices and perfumes. Oh that we would be a people who would indeed recognize that we anoint the Lord Jesus with the fragrance and aroma and perfume of our worship, our praise and our honor and reverence