DANCING BEFORE THE LORD - ‘Why this waste of perfume?’ If Mark’s story of Mary’s “waste” means anything at all, it suggests that our love for Jesus may express itself in ways that others find uncomfortable. A year’s wages were involved in Mary’s anointing. It was an “unwise” act that invited the disciples’ scorn. But Jesus commended her for her act of devotion - Jesus saw the love that prompted her action despite what some would consider the impractical nature of it. Different forms of worship — informal, formal, quiet, exuberant — represent a sincere outpouring of love for Jesus - He’s worthy of all worship that comes from a heart of love - Mark 13 ends with Jesus urging His disciples, and everyone, to be awake rather than asleep when He returns. Into the account of those who are conspiring to get rid of Jesus Mark inserts the story of a woman who honors His approaching death. “Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume?’” In the spirit of her affections, she was awake even if she didn’t consciously know that she was foreshadowing Jesus’ suffering. A group of religious leaders were clueless to the fact that in the secrecy of their murderous plans, they, along with Judas, were about to betray and demand the crucifixion of their long-awaited Savior. Two days before the Jewish feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread, they were sleeping in what Jesus had called the “yeast” of hypocrisy.

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Dancing Before
the 
Lord

Different forms of worship — informal, formal, quiet, exuberant — represent a sincere outpouring of love for Jesus - He’s worthy of all worship that comes from a heart of love

..

‘Why this waste of perfume?’ If Mark’s story of Mary’s “waste” means anything at all, it suggests that our love for Jesus may express itself in ways that others find uncomfortable. 

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A year’s wages were involved in Mary’s
anointing. It was an “unwise” act that invited the disciples’ scorn. But Jesus commended her for her act of devotion - Jesus saw the love that prompted her action despite what some would consider the impractical nature of it. 

By David H. Roper

“Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume?’” - Mark 14:4

   

Today's Scripture: Mark 14:1–9

Insight

Mark 13 ends with Jesus urging His disciples, and everyone, to be awake rather than asleep when He returns (verses 35–36).

Chapter 14 gives us contrasting examples of what it means to be ready.

Into the account of those who are conspiring to get rid of Jesus (Mark 14:1–2, 10–11), Mark inserts the story of a woman who honors His approaching death (verses 3–9).

In the spirit of her affections, she was awake even if she didn’t consciously know that she was foreshadowing Jesus’ suffering (verses 6–9).

A group of religious leaders, on the other hand, were clueless to the fact that in the secrecy of their murderous plans, they, along with Judas, were about to betray and demand the crucifixion of their long-awaited Savior.

Two days before the Jewish feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread, they were sleeping in what Jesus had called the “yeast” of hypocrisy (Luke 12:1).

A number of years ago, my wife and I visited a small church where during the worship service a woman began to dance in the aisle.

She was soon joined by others.

Carolyn and I looked at each other and an unspoken agreement passed between us: “Not me!”

We come from church traditions that favor a serious liturgy, and this other form of worship was well beyond our comfort zone.

But if Mark’s story of Mary’s “waste” means anything at all, it suggests that our love for Jesus may express itself in ways that others find uncomfortable (Mark 14:1–9).

A year’s wages were involved in Mary’s anointing.

It was an “unwise” act that invited the disciples’ scorn.

The word Mark uses to describe their reaction means “to snort” and suggests disdain and mockery.

Mary may have cringed, fearing Jesus’ response.

But He commended her for her act of devotion and defended her against His own disciples, for Jesus saw the love that prompted her action despite what some would consider the impractical nature of it.

He said, “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me” (verse 6).

Different forms of worship — informal, formal, quiet, exuberant — represent a sincere outpouring of love for Jesus.

He’s worthy of all worship that comes from a heart of love.

Reflect & Pray

Why do you think we’re critical of unfamiliar forms of worship?

How can we change our thoughts about a form of worship that’s outside our comfort zone?

I bow before You, Almighty God, and worship You now. You’re worthy of the highest praise and adoration.

David H. Roper was a pastor for more than 30 years and now directs Idaho Mountain Ministries, a retreat dedicated to the encouragement of pastoral couples. He enjoys fishing, hiking, and being stream-side with his wife, Carolyn. His favourite fictional character is Reepicheep, the tough little mouse that is the soul of courage in C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. His favourite biblical character is Caleb—that rugged old saint who never retired, but who "died climbing." Find books by David Roper

https://new.odb.org/devotionals/dancing-before-the-lord/

PERFUME IN THE BIBLE - "Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart." The perfume used for worship at the Tabernacle and Temple was a specific blend of spices and frankincense that was to be used for no other purpose. "And The Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. "And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for The Lord. Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people." The perfume use of myrrh and aloes as stated above can also be found in the preparation of Christ's body for burial. Just before His crucifixion, did a friend of Jesus Christ anoint Him with an ointment from which "the house was filled with the fragrance?" The connection to perfume (the "fume" of

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Perfume In The Bible

by Wayne Blank

"Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart." (Proverbs 27:9 KJV)

The English word perfume is derived from two Latin words, per, meaning through, and fumus, meaning smoke.

(the English words fuming and fumes, meaning burning and smoking, are from the same "fume" as in perfume).

While perfume literally means through the smoke, it has come to mean "a pleasant cosmetic fragrance."

Although ancient people used "perfume" in various forms, the Hebrew word of the Scriptures, pronounced cet-oh-reth, that is often translated as "perfume," also means smoke, or more specifically, sweet smoke (i.e. incense).

Other non-burning "perfumes," from flowers and spices, were however known and used by the people of Bible History.

"Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart"

The perfume used for worship at the Tabernacle and Temple was a specific blend of spices and frankincense that was to be used for no other purpose.

"And The Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

"And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for The Lord. Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people." (Exodus 30:34-38 KJV)

The connection to perfume (the "fume" of perfume) and smoke is plainly stated in the Scriptures:

"Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?" (Song of Solomon 3:6 KJV)

Other non-smoke "perfumes" were known and used however:

"Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart." (Proverbs 27:9 KJV)

"I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon." (Proverbs 7:16-17 KJV)

The perfume use of myrrh and aloes as stated above can also be found in the preparation of Christ's body for burial.

"And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight."

"Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury" (John 19:39-40 KJV)

Fact Finder: 

Just before His crucifixion, did a friend of Jesus Christ anoint Him with an ointment from which "the house was filled with the fragrance?" John 12:3 (RSV)

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2006/20060919.htm

MYRRH FOR THE MESSIAH - Myrrh was one of the three gifts brought by the "wise men" to the newborn Messiah. Myrrh was involved in the events of the birth, crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ. It was sometimes the practice of the Romans to give condemned people a stupefying concoction of "wine mingled with myrrh" - the Messiah refused it. Due to its aromatic qualities (i.e. the reason that it was a major ingredient in perfume), myrrh was included within the linen that the dead were wrapped in (note that His Body was "wound" in linen - there was no single-sheet "shroud").

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 Myrrh For The Messiah

By Wayne Blank

"They presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh"

Myrrh is an aromatic resin that has been used as an ingredient in oils, ointments, perfumes and incense since very ancient times.

The LORD commanded Moses to include myrrh in the "holy anointing oil."

"^30:22 Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, ^30:23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, ^30:24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: 

“^30:25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. ^30:26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, 

“^30:27 And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, ^30:28 And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. ^30:29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy." (Exodus 30:22-29 KJV)

"Oil of myrrh" was also used for common purposes, such as perfume.

"^45:8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad." (Psalm 45:8 KJV)

"^7:17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon." (Proverbs 7:17 KJV)

"^3:6 Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?" (Song Of Solomon 3:6 KJV)

"They presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh"

Myrrh was involved in the events of the birth, crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ.

Myrrh was one of the three gifts brought by the "wise men" to the newborn Messiah (although a man-made tradition began that there were three wise men, the Holy Bible doesn't record how many there were - only that three kinds of gifts were presented by them).

"^2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, ^2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

^“2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ^2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. ^2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

^“2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

^“2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. ^2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

^“2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. ^2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 

“^2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:1-11 KJV)

It was sometimes the practice of the Romans to give condemned people a stupefying concoction of "wine mingled with myrrh" - the Messiah refused it.

"^15:22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. ^15:23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. ^15:24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

^“15:25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. ^15:26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. ^15:27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 

“^15:28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. ^15:29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, ^15:30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.

^“15:31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. ^15:32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

^“15:33 And when the sixth hour [i.e. noon] was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour [i.e. 3:00 pm]. ^15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

“^15:35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.

^“15:36 And one ran and filled a sponge full of Vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

^“15:37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost." (Mark 15:22-37 KJV)

Due to its aromatic qualities (i.e. the reason that it was a major ingredient in perfume), myrrh was included within the linen that the dead were wrapped in (note that His Body was "wound" in linen - there was no single-sheet "shroud").

"^19:38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 

“^19:39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 

“^19:40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. 

“^19:41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. ^19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand." (John 19:38-42 KJV)

About Wayne Blank. I was born and raised as a Roman Catholic, but I have had nothing what-so-ever to do with that organization since the early 1970s, the time that I began basing my Christian beliefs solely upon the Word of God, the Holy Bible. I have never been a member of any other church organization.

My church membership today is that of the Biblical Church of God. According to the Holy Scriptures, "church" actually means the people, the "called out ones," who truly live by the Word of God (see Can You See The Church?). I now strongly disagree with the Church of Rome and any other Christian-professing church organization, Catholic or Protestant, that contradicts the pure Word of God as written in the Holy Scriptures.

Wayne Blank

pathfinder@keyway.ca

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2011/20110511.htm

 

PERFUMES AND ESSENTIAL OILS - Ancient Uses Of Perfumes - In ancient times, essential oils and other aromatics were used for religious rituals, as well as for the treatment of illness and other physical and spiritual needs. This included the ancient uses of perfumes in these practices. According to the Essential Oils Desk Reference compiled by Essence Science Publishing, “Records dating back to 4500 B.C. describes the use of balsamic substances with aromatic properties for religious rituals and medical applications.” The translation of ancient papyrus found in the Temple of Edfu, located on the west bank of the Nile reveals medicinal formulas and perfume recipes used by the alchemist and high priest in blending aromatic substances for rituals performed in the temples and pyramids. Hieroglyphics on the walls of Egyptian temples depict the blending of oils and describe hundreds of oil recipes. Within these writings tell of scented barks, resins of spices, and aromatic vinegar, wines and beers that were used in rituals, temples, for embalming and medicine. The Egyptians were credited as the first to discover the potential of fragrance and were considered masters in using essential oils and other aromatics in the embalming process. They created various aromatic blends for personal use, placing them in alabaster jars – a vessel specially carved and shaped for holding fragrant oils. When King Tut’s tomb was opened in 1922, 350 liters of oils were discovered in alabaster jars.

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Perfumes And Essential Oils

Ancient Uses Of Perfumes   

Rebecca Park Totilo

In ancient times, essential oils and other aromatics were used for religious rituals, as well as for the treatment of illness and other physical and spiritual needs.

This included the ancient uses of perfumes in these practices.

According to the Essential Oils Desk Reference compiled by Essence Science Publishing, “Records dating back to 4500 B.C. describes the use of balsamic substances with aromatic properties for religious rituals and medical applications.”

The translation of ancient papyrus found in the Temple of Edfu, located on the west bank of the Nile reveals medicinal formulas and perfume recipes used by the alchemist and high priest in blending aromatic substances for rituals performed in the temples and pyramids.

As well, Hieroglyphics on the walls of Egyptian temples depict the blending of oils and describe hundreds of oil recipes.

Within these writings tell of scented barks, resins of spices, and aromatic vinegar, wines and beers that were used in rituals, temples, for embalming and medicine.

Thus, the Egyptians were credited as the first to discover the potential of fragrance and were considered masters in using essential oils and other aromatics in the embalming process.

They created various aromatic blends for personal use, placing them in alabaster jars – a vessel specially carved and shaped for holding fragrant oils. 

In fact, when King Tut’s tomb was opened in 1922, 350 liters of oils were discovered in alabaster jars.

Amazingly, because of the solidification of plant waxes sealing the opening of the jars, the liquefied oil was in perfect condition.

In the upper region of Egypt, a sect of Jews, called Essenes, were known for their healing arts and use of essential oils.

Both Philo and Josephus writings indicated that at the period in which John the Baptist and Jesus were born, the Essenes were scattered over Palestine, numbering about four thousand souls.

The Essenes or Therapeuts (used interchangeably) refer primarily to the art of healing which these devotees professed, as it was believed in those days that sanctity was closely allied to the exercise of this power, and that no cure of any sort could be imputed simply to natural causes. (Source: http://sacred-texts.com, http://bopsecrets.org)

The Holy Scriptures record over 1,035 references to aromatics, ointments, savors, fragrances, plants and incense-most implying essential oils.

Twelve of the most highly-praised fragrances in the world mentioned in the Bible include: Frankincense, Myrrh, Spikenard, Hyssop, Cypress, Myrtle, Aloes, Sandalwood, Galbanum, Cinnamon, Cassia, and Onycha.

Many were in the prescribed preparation of the Holy Anointing Oil and Holy Incense for Temple services, as well as for anointing and healing the sick.

The people of the ancient world understood the importance of maintaining wellness and physical health, as well as the oils’ ability to enhance their spiritual state of worship, prayer, and for the purification from sin.

King David alluded to this in Psalm 51:7 when he wrote, “Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

While David’s Psalm may have been speaking of a “spiritual purification” from his own sin of adultery with Bathsheba, today we know that the chemical constituents of essential oils including hyssop are able to penetrate the cell wall and transport needed oxygen and nutrients to the cell nucleus.

Most essential oils can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled into the lungs where they then make their way into the bloodstream.

The sense of smell affects the limbic region of the brain, which controls emotions, memory and the hypothalamus, which regulates the pituitary, which in turn balances the entire hormonal system of the body.

http://www.rebeccaatthewell.org/ancient-uses-of-perfumes/ 

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