The Precious Oil

The story in Mark 14:3-9 is the story of the woman who anointed the Lord with precious oil.  She is showing us that we should give our precious things to the Lord. 

After the woman anointed the Lords head with oil people began to murmur against her but the Lord praised her. She was preparing his body for burial because she knew the time was at hand that the Lord would be leaving them. The disciples thought that it could have been better used to feed the poor and that that would be a greater cause. 

The woman was a great example because she knew what was coming and was being prepared. She loved the Lord and new he deserved the best, therefore she gave him the precious oil to anoint his body. In Matthew 25:40 it say that if you do a deed unto the least of the people it is like you have done it unto the Lord.  I think that as long as we serve our fellow men then we are giving the Lord something valuable.  We need to also teach the gospel to all those that will listen. Bringing someone to the truths that we know it such a great tribute to God. 

Choice 3: Mark 14:3–9; Matthew 26:6–13. The Savior Anointed

1.     Review Mark 14:3–9 and Matthew 26:6–13. Then write answers to the following questions:

·         What reason is given for why the woman anointed the Savior with “very precious” (costly) ointment? What does Mark 14:8 imply that she understood? (see also Mark 9:31–32).

·         Why did some of the disciples feel indignant and call her action a “waste”?

2.     The Savior said that the woman had “wrought a good work” and that wherever the gospel would be preached, the woman’s deed would “be spoken of for a memorial of her” (Mark 14:6, 9). What did the woman do that made it an act worthy of the Savior’s praise and our remembrance? How is the woman an example to you? Write a paragraph describing some ways that you could give the Lord something valuable. (see Matthew 25:40).