Is there no silent lesson here for us?

(Horatius Bonar, "Bethany and Its Feast")

"While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man
 known as 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." Matthew 26:6-7

Reverence, homage, love—are all embodied in this act.
She grudges no cost for Him whom she so reverently
loves.

"She has done a beautiful thing to Me!" Matthew 26:10

It is Mary whom Jesus marks and commends. Her fervent
love, pouring itself out in one single act of devotion, gets
the highest notice.

Is there no silent lesson here for us? It is not labor,
nor suffering, which get the highest commendation from
Jesus. It is love—pure, warm, ungrudging, loyal love! It
is this which gets the Master's "Well done." He can do
without the others—but not without this.