Worship is even more important than the poor

Jesus teaches that there is an even more important thing for his followers to do than meet the needs of the poor.  Really?  For many of us who embrace the social justice aspects of the Old Testament and Gospels, these are shocking words out of Jesus' mouth! 

Matthew 26:6-13 ⁶ Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, ⁷ a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. ⁸ But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? ⁹ For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor." ¹⁰ But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. ¹¹ For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. ¹² By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. ¹³ Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."

I like that the disciples become indignant.  Here they are portrayed as social activists whose goal is to help the poor.  And practically speaking - in their minds - the expensive perfume should not be wasted on Jesus (who just happens to be the creator and sustainer of the universe).  It should be sold so that the needs of the poor can be met.  So these disciples become angry with the woman!  Maybe they are even mad at Jesus too.

But this woman - seemingly impractical and sentimental - pours the expensive perfume on Jesus' head.  It is a tender scene - we watch on as she worships Jesus - the creator and sustainer of the universe.  If you are like me, you are a bit jealous of this woman.  I want to be the one to stand next to Jesus - God wrapped in flesh -  look into his eyes and tenderly pour perfume on his head.  I want to express my love for him like she did.  If given the chance, would I take my expensive perfume and chance an encounter with arrogant disciples and go to him?  She is an example to us of what worshiping God is like.  It takes courage to buck the arrogant authorities, wisdom to set right priorities, and real love for Jesus.  She gets to worship Jesus - not from far away in a church pew, but up close and personal.  To be close enough to watch him breath, feel the warmth from his body, and even touch him.  She worships Jesus.

And Jesus is touched.  My guess is that this is not just a random act by an impractical, sentimental woman.  My guess is that, unlike the disciples, she has internalized the words of Jesus in the verses just prior to these: "the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified," (Matthew 26:2).  She knows that she can't stop his approaching pain, but she can demonstrate her love for him now.  And she does.

As she moves away from Jesus, the disciples attack her.  Accuse her of waste.  But Jesus defends her.  And promises that her great love for Jesus - her desire to be close to him - to worship him - will never be forgotten.  Her story has been told and retold for more than 2000 years.

Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that worshiping him is even more important than giving to the poor?