Powerpoint Pictures: Pictures of Champagne, Water, Gunge, Milk, Oil being poured over someones head; Bottle of Chanel No. 5

Why are these things poured over peoples’ heads?

Champagne?  To celebrate a victory.

Water?  To raise money for charity.

Gunge?  For losing a game.

Milk?  Because they can.

Oil?  To anoint a king.

As the story of how Jesus died continues, we find not water or milk being poured over somebodies head, but perfume.  Really expensive perfume.

Jesus was at the home of a man called Simon.  As he ate and talk with his friend, a woman came and poured perfume over Jesus’ head.

Why did she do this?

Well this woman recognised two things about Jesus.  She recognised that Jesus was the King and so anointed Him.  She also knew that He was going to die and so prepared His body for burial.

Jesus said she had done a beautiful thing.

Not everyone agreed.  Jesus’ disciples were not impressed.  “When the disciples saw this, they were indignant.  “Why this waste?” they asked.  “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” (Matthew 26:8-9)

One disciple particularly was upset.  Judas Iscariot, the disciple who was responsible for looking after the money.  “Then one of the Twelve – the one called Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?”  So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.” (Matthew 26:14-15)

The chief priests had got their man on the inside.  Someone to help them with their plot to have Jesus killed.  Yet there was someone who knew what Judas had done and at another meal this is revealed.