"Why Trouble Ye Her?"
Mark 14:6
When Mary broke open her alabaster box and
anointed her Savior with the costly spikenard, "There were some that had
indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this
waste of the ointment made?" They were critical of Mary's devotion and
service to Christ. They thought she had acted fanatically for having made such
a waste of her goods. They called her work and sacrifice for Christ a waste!
To those pompous, self-righteous
do-nothings, the Son of God said, "Let her alone; why trouble ye
her?"
The spirit of these narrow minded
fault-finders is all too common. Their followers are found in every age. Pious
acting, self-righteous worldlings are quick to denounce what they call
"extremes" in religion. Dedication and commitment to Christ they call
"fanaticism". They always urge "moderation" in the service
of Christ and his gospel. If a man devotes his time, money, and affection to
the pursuit of any worldly interest, they call him wise. If he dedicates
himself to the pursuit of riches, fame, and power, they find no fault with him.
If he is an athlete and commits himself to exercise, training, and practice,
they say he is to be admired for his dedication. Yet, if that same man devotes
himself and all that he has to Christ, his worship, his gospel, and the service
of his kingdom, the self-righteous worldlings cannot find words ugly enough to
express their contempt for him. Consecration to Christ they call a waste,
fanaticism, and foolish.
Cold hearts are always slow to do and
quick to criticize. You can take this to the bank: Mr. Critical Tongue and Ms.
Gossip Jaws are do nothings in the
If a person ever understands the
sinfulness of his sin and the mercy, grace, and love of Christ in his
sin-atoning death as the sinner's Substitute, he will never imagine that
anything is too great or too costly to do for and give to Christ. Rather, he will
cry, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits?" He is
not afraid of wasting his time, his money, and his life on Christ. He is afraid
of wasting them on the world! He is not afraid of doing too much for Christ. He
fears giving too much care to the world!
Don Fortner