Spikenard, Very Dear

Mary Magdalene ~ Rijksmuseum
by influential Dutch painter Jan van Scorel (1495 – 1562)
When I was in grade school, back in the early days before Jesus Christ Superstar, 1973 (and way before this great 2000 version!), we were memorizing poems for Easter one year, and I think I chose this one because I just loved the sound of the word spikenard:

She Hath Done What She Could

". . . there came a woman having an alabaster box of
ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake
the box, and poured it on his head." ~Mark 14:3 (KJV)

A woman once to Jesus came
As He of meat partook,
And worshipping before His feet,
The world and all forsook.
She broke an alabaster box
Of spikenard, very dear,
And pouring it upon His head,
She trembled there in fear.

The hypocrites began to scoff
And blame her for this waste,
"So many poor" was their excuse,
For gold they had a taste.
But Jesus, looking on the heart,
Her motive understood;
Rebuking them, He testified,
"She hath done what she could."

I look around and wonder oft
At those who critcize
Some lowly saint who's done her best,
Her act, perhaps, unwise.
I'm glad that Jesus knows the heart;
I in her place have stood.
While others scoff, He testifies,
"She hath done what she could."

by Rena B. Knight, 1969
in her collection Fruit in Season (p 43)

Thanks to Steven for sending this card from
The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Penitent Magdalen ~ Georges de La Tour (1593 - 1652)
(another version)