Moment of Meditation: Why This Waste? (Matthew 26:8-10)

''And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me (Matthew 26:8-10).''

A couple of days before the crucifixion, Jesus' disciples still didn't quite get what Jesus had come to do. They understood what we call the Social Gospel. They wanted to be known as the people who took care of the poor. They wanted to be known as the guys who could feed thousands of people with a few loaves and fish. They wanted to be known as the guys who could cast out demons. They were too busy doing.

So when this woman comes in and anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, they thought that it was a waste. None of them remembered the three times Jesus had said that He was coming to Jerusalem to die. They wanted to be known as the benevolent disciples of Jesus. Always willing to sell something in order to advance the Gospel.

But the Gospel doesn't have anything to do with giving the poor money or even food. The Gospel has everything to do with Jesus dying on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. The sins of both the rich and the poor. The poor may not be readily taken care of financially, but they can be spiritually taken care of by proclaiming Jesus' death for them. Jesus' death for you. Amen.