GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 14:8
What do You Mean?
Human actions do not carry their meanings with them; the interpretation of an action is a function of the human mind. Some time ago, I went shopping with Alice at a superstore. I moseyed down an aisle inspecting items on the shelf. A stranger came to me and said that he did not appreciate me following him. To this day, I remember that incident, and it reminds me that an action is interpreted in the mind. I suppose the stranger interpreted my leisurely saunter along down the aisle as a disguise for observing shoppers—my interpretation of his action.
In an episode of The Andy Griffith Show, Barney Fife took a bouquet to his girlfriend, Thelma Lou, to celebrate an anniversary of their first date. She mistakenly thought he was trying to make up for an unkind remark he had made, so she took the bouquet and hit him with it. Poor Barney—his actions are often misinterpreted, which, of course, is the comedic intention.
As Jesus dined at Simon’s house, a woman came behind him, broke a container of expensive perfume oil, and poured it on Jesus’ head, anointing him with it. The disciples interpreted the act as a waste. Jesus, on the other hand, said, “What she had, she did. She came beforehand to anoint my body for burial.” (Mark 14:8) From Mark’s description, the significance of her action may not have been fully understood at the time, perhaps even by the woman herself. It seems unlikely that she had Jesus’ death in mind.
Since interpretation of action is a function of the mind, it seems best that one give actions—one’s own and those of others—the most charitable interpretation possible.
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