Holy Week: April 13

Read Mark 14:1-11. Jesus is having dinner in Bethany and a woman anoints him with a costly jar of perfume. It was the best she had to offer and she willingly poured it out as an act of worship. Traditionally anointing someone’s head with oil was to sanctify, to set the anointed person or object apart as holy. It was a symbol of honor and that the one being anointed was a chosen vessel by God.

This anointing points to Christ’s identity as Messiah-King, but it also points to His humble position as Servant-King. When the woman anoints Jesus, she foreshadows Jesus’ actions at the upcoming Last Supper when the Lord washes the disciples’ feet and teaches them how to love one another through sacrificial, humble service.