Is Nothing Wasted?

  

Is Nothing Wasted?

There’s an episode in Jesus’ life where He accepted the worship of an unnamed woman in the Gospel according to Matthew. “While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table. 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.”

If Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, didn’t He deserved the best? Ultimately He deserved worship and this woman understood this, so to sacrifice an expensive jar of perfume was perfectly legitimate.  But the disciples did not have the woman’s perspective.  According to commentators, they were not concerned for the poor but were trying to justify their complaint about the apparent misuse of valuable property.  Or perhaps, they thought the money could have been used for their own needs.  

“Why this waste?”  We also ask this  when something happens that seems out of place or is a complete disregard for common sense.  In the television series, “The Chosen,” Thomas’ soon-to-be wife is ‘accidentally’ killed by a centurion in a riot and he cries out, “This was a mistake!  It wasn’t supposed to happen!”  Jesus responds in sympathy but He chooses not to bring her back to life,, thus throwing Thomas into despair and confusion.

I can identify with Thomas and the other disciples.  When Tracy died, I too cried, “Why this waste?”  In my mind and according to what my earthly eyes see, many others seemingly deserve to die, but not Tracy.  But my argument is not with a mere man, but the sovereign God of the universe.  And didn’t people at the time of Christ’s crucifixion also cry out, “Why this waste?”  Even one of the criminals being crucified next to him proclaimed, “He has done nothing wrong.”

Jesus says about the woman with the jar of oil in Matthew 26:13, “Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”  In other words, if the disciples knew what we now know, they would have proclaimed that her sacrifice was beautiful.  

So, like the disciples, my perspective is limited.  I cannot understand God’s purposes.  Even nine months later, it still feels like a waste.  Can I not claim Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Good?!  I’m still waiting.  And I don’t think I’m alone.  

Like the woman with the jar of perfume, Tracy’s memory continues to be celebrated by anyone that I meet who knew her.  She has been memorialized in our minds and in the pictures and videos that I have of her.  In her letters, I actually hear her voice.

Jesus was no foreigner to the evils of sin in this world and his actions often confuse us.  When He was being arrested the disciples drew their swords but Jesus called a stop to their assault.  Matthew 26:53 says, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” He could have squashed His captors.  He didn’t have to be arrested and killed, but He settled all this in the Garden of Gethsemane by saying, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Why?  For the greater good of His sacrifice.  Of course, we know that now.  Hind sight is always 20/20.  

Jesus was even taunted while He was hanging on the cross, “He saved others,” they said, “but He can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.”  Yes, He could have saved Himself, but at the expense of the salvation of our souls.  Because according to God’s law, His death provided a pathway to salvation for anyone who believes in Him.

I suppose my question is, “When someone like Tracy dies, is there a greater good that can result than if her life had been saved?” Maybe like the woman with the jar, she was one person who made an impact in this world that really is incalculable.  Who’s to say what our value is?  Apart from a biblical understanding of life and death, every time death occurs, we will cry, “Why this waste?”  But a biblical mindset pulls us back from the brink and we can lean on our faith and say with Jesus, “Not my will but Yours be done.”

I realize with each key stroke, I am delving into other theological quagmires.  Death, God’s will, salvation, our choices, sickness, etc.  The reason I needed to dwell on this passage was to find satisfaction in what I have determined are two essential and basic theological tenets: God is sovereign and God is good.  If He is neither or only one or the other, then we are doomed to chance and whims of an erratic universe or a despotic god.  If He is both, as I believe, it provides an anchor for our souls.  At the end of my complaints and arguments I will say with Job, “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?  I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more.”

Lastly, the final hope I rest upon is that Tracy is experiencing complete peace and wholeness.  All the purposes of her agony upon this earth have been revealed to her.  May we dwell on this fact as we continue to miss her life and influence.  For we weep for ourselves, not her.  I trust that over time I will begin to grasp that in her life and death, nothing is wasted.