Epaggelia

Anointing Jesus

Luke 7:36-39, John 12:1-7, Matthew 26:8-13 & Mark 14:3-9

The fact that there are so many (6) different “Marys” in the New Testament is one of the many marks against the theory of the Bible being written by men. No one in their right mind would have made up a story with so many Marys in it, the confusion of identities would be avoided if men wrote it. Truth is often stranger than fiction, since God wrote it, we are shown reality, there were a lot of Marys in the first century. One rabbi estimates that 23% of all known names of Jews in the first century were Mary! All 3 of the anointings of Jesus were administered by women usually not named, but one was announced by Jesus as a memorial to her. Her name is not as important as her sacrifice, it is very important. She is not glorified in the eternal gospel because she wants to glorify, honor and adore Jesus and she does that really well to this day. IF, we actually include her annointing of Jesus in our good news message. No preacher should neglect to mention her, all preachers and teachers of the Bible should ensure her annointing is proclaimed and give instruction to apply what she did to each Christian’s life and faith.

The Anointing by the sinful woman in Simon the Pharisee’s house probably somewhere in Galilee: Lk. 7:36-39

1. The Feet of Jesus with ointment from an “alabastron”, tears, kisses & hair.
2. The Lesson Jesus makes to Simon about forgiveness.
3. Jesus commended the woman’s love and then forgave her & saved her.

The Anointing by Mary of Bethany (sister of Martha & Lazarus) Jn. 12:1-8

1. The Feet of Jesus with expensive spikenard & hair.
2. The Rebuke of Judas for his selfishness.
3. The purpose of this anointing was in preparation for his burial.

The Anointing at Simon the Leper’s house in Bethany by an unnamed woman who is memorialized by Jesus: Mat. 26:6-13 & Mk. 14:3-9

1. The Head of Jesus with expensive spikenard from a broken “alabastron”
2. The Defense of the woman’s “good work”, being criticized as waste
3. The purpose was for his burial and the woman was memorialized.

In 1st century Israel, it was common when guests arrived in your house, someone of low esteem would wash the guests feet as a common courtesy, but to anoint a guests feet was a sign of honor. It was very significant to both the woman and Jesus when his head was anointed, pointing to a future crown and a royal reign. Jesus wanted everyone at both places in Bethany to know that he understood his death was imminent and the anointings were more than just an expression of devoted sacrifice and love, but was a prophetic action in preparation for his death. That is why the statement was known by Jesus but not proclaimed by the woman in Bethany, the woman didn’t realize fully how much this meant to Jesus. The gospel accompanies this woman’s sacrifice because his burial is as equal in importance as the cross, Mt. 26:13 & Mk. 14:9. Why? Because when we show sacrificial love to God outwardly in public, we have no idea how far it’s effect will go into other people’s lives for the sake of the gospel globally in any century till Jesus comes again! Baptism is a type of burial, full immersion was the only baptism Christ’s apostles proclaimed and practiced. Your annointing awaits by faith in the baptism of Christ. Thank God for these women! See 1st John 5:6, “Jesus CHRIST, he is the one who came by water and blood, not by water only but by water and by blood, and the Spirit (our annointing 1st John 2:20-27) is the one who testifies because the Spirit is the truth”.