08 Aug Why Do You Trouble Her?

By Lea Peters

 “But Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.’” (Mark 14:6 ESV)

I find this verse in the account of the woman anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume interesting. There was a lot going on at this time in Jesus’ ministry. He knew that His life was coming to an end, and He was trying to prepare His followers for what was going to happen.

This woman took a very costly container of perfume and used it to bless Jesus. Some scholars say that the oil was equivalent to a year’s worth of wages. And, if you read the entire account in Mark 14:1-9, it seems that the atmosphere at the time of her offering was charged with negativity and judgment. People present in the room whispered and murmured among themselves, supposing no one took notice of their disapproval. This woman’s offering provoked them, and they were immediately offended.

“Why not sell it?” they queried.

“Why not give the proceeds to the poor?” A noble gesture, they reasoned, must be more acceptable to God instead of wasting this expensive perfume this way.

It was no matter to these people that the perfume was the giver’s possession to use as she felt. Those present felt justified to dictate how they thought the gift should have been used. As righteous as their suggestion might have seemed, she obviously, she got something right because even to this day, her offering stands tall in scripture.

Jesus, knowing what was going on in the room, asked the question, “Why do you trouble her?”

Offending Your Mind

I’ve heard a preacher once say that “God will offend your mind to reveal what is in your heart.” I’ve found this to be true in my own life on many occasions. In the case of offering, why would what someone else gives bother me? What has given me the right to dictate how or what someone offers to the Lord? I might not give in the same manner as others, however, they don’t give as I do. Ought we not celebrate the diversity we have in the family of God rather than tear it down at every given opportunity?

While the outward reasonings of the disciples might have appeared to be virtuous, if you go on to read what happens directly after this offering, you’ll find Judas speaking with religious leaders, preparing to receive money in exchange for the life of the Son of God.

Ripped Off

It seems to me that Jesus had already caught Judas on other occasions taking money when he shouldn’t (see John 12:16, Judas was the treasurer for Jesus and the disciples). It might be that this last act of offering (and waste in his and others’ opinions) was too much for Judas to bear. Perhaps he felt “ripped off” when he realized Jesus wasn’t going to bestow great riches and honor on the disciples. I wonder if he felt he needed and “out” in order to get what he could while “the getting was good.”

No matter his reasoning, it was false and it led to his demise. Judas ended up hanging himself (see Matt. 27:1-10).

What Could Have Been

Judas’ fear of missing out on what he thought was his “right” cost him his life. Imagine what could have been for him had his desire for money not overtaken him? He could have been part of the early church that “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Instead, his drive for his “due,” to get what he thought was owed him for his services, drove him away from an amazing future.

Money can always be replaced, but it’s impossible to replace our lives that are intended to be lived for the Kingdom.

So, why trouble her? The offering is hers to give.

Lea Peters has been a pastor’s wife and missionary since 1987. She has served alongside her husband Jamie planting churches and establishing faith-based community outreaches in Africa. She has four children and two grandchildren. You can find out more about her here or here.

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