Let HerAlone

This artwork references Jesus’ anointing at Bethany (Mt. 26:6-13).  The text of the drawing “Let her alone! The poor you will always have with you.” is rather cryptic in relation to the image of hands washing a foot. This is an editorial strategy meant to artfully encourage the viewer back into his memory of this richly evocative event.

Jesus says in Matthew 26:13, “I tell you the truth, wherever this Gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”  John’s Gospel tells us that she is Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha, and her extravagant gesture are indeed documented in all four Gospels for eternity. 

Jesus says in John 12: 7, “It was intended that she save this perfume for the day of my burial.” So she prophetically anointed the feet of her Lord at Simon the leper’s home and the smell of the expensive perfume filled the house—a house that probably smelled bad because of the owner’s leprosy. 

What was all the fuss about? Why were the disciples “indignant?” Was it really just a waste of money or was something else going on here?  Is Mary the female Able who’s sacrifice was the right one? This incident can be read as an apologetic for the use of art in worship.  The sense of smell and a rich visual performance art with ample tactile elements engage the senses as well as the mind. 

Art is often considered extravagant and even superfluous in the church today. Yet here we see Jesus himself emphasizing and “anointing” its use.