Most of the time it is best to ignore those who criticize. There are occasions however when questions that do not deserve an answer yet need to be answered. We read in the Holy Bible..there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious...why was this waste of the ointment made, demanded Judas, poor fellow, he lived all his years without learning that there is a difference between wasting and giving. Many didn't accidentally spill the perfume, she poured it with a purpose. She didn't waste it, she gave it. Jesus words on this occasion reveal `let her alone', His words were calm but His command was unmistakable. He spoke quickly so that many might not be hurt and also that the beauty of the moment might be preserved. This shall be spoken of her a memorial of her.' It is appropriate however that the gift be remembered as well as the giver. Surely, Jesus had good reason to emphasize that never to be forgotten incident. Mary's example remains eternally a challenge an encouragement to all of His followers. It stimulates us to say with the Psalmist, What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits towards me. Her beautiful acts can be remembered best by these words perfume, privilege and prophecy, perfume has been the subject of many advertisements.

In Mark's narrative, who came out the happier, do you think- the giver or the griper. The giver given himself into immortality, as Mary did. We might think the disciples would have been pleased with the honour to their master, but alas, it is often easier to please the master than to please his disciples, even today, Why was it not sold? Why was this waste allowed, demanded Judas. The question could not go unchallenged. Jesus answered quickly. All the disciples, perhaps, did not feel as Judas did but they were influenced by him, evidentally or they remained silent. There are times when silence is golden, there are other times when it is a sin. There is always danger when one tries to calculate the cost I Love, love is not a book-keeper, love is more than a spend thrift. The precious perfume poured out by a loving heart was not wanted, it was used for its purpose - beauty. Would it have been wanted. Mary had used it on the body and on her brother Lazarus. There is a purpose for all things and the great waste comes in hoarding things, in keeping them from their proper use in life. The perfume would have been wanted if it had not been used. Why was it not sold? Because it was not for sale, it was for sharing. It was not exchanged for bread, because man cannot live by bread alone- Gratitude, appreciation and love are tragically lacking in this dollar mad world of ours, life without love, life without beauty leave a sense of emptiness.

There is deep need in all our lives to share and to be needed. It is always our high privilege to give what we have to Jesus, but it is even our greater privilege to place ourselves at His Feet. We may not always have an opportunity to express our love- our response is a matter of insight, a choice in putting first things first. The answer of Jesus revealed that we will always have the opportunity to give to something ..Moses had said earlier, For the poor shall never cease out of the land (Deut 15:11)

Would Judas really have given the money to the poor? Not likely. He may have been thinking `if Jesus doesn't stop this type of giving I may have to open up the purse I keep. Perfume is mentioned many times in the Bible, the wise men brought perfume to the infant Jesus at his birth, it was used in the Old Testament for the anointing of priests, prophets and kings. Jesus Christ is our high priest, he is our prophet of righteousness, He is the King of Kings. This was his anointing and never was a gift more timely.