Scripture

While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made of essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.

Observation

Two days before Passover, the priests and teachers of the law are looking for an opportunity to kill Jesus.

Jesus is in Bethany eating at the home of Simon, a former leper, A woman enters the house carrying an alabaster jar containing expensive perfume. She breaks open the jar and pause the perfume over Jesus’s head.

Some of those present are indignant at what they consider to be a waste. It could have been sold to help the poor, they argue.

Jesus tells them to leave the woman alone. She has done a good thing by anointing his body for burial ahead of time.

He says that wherever the gospel is preached, this woman will be remembered.

Application

The adoration of this unnamed woman for Jesus Is priceless. She loved him so much she was willing to pour out expensive perfume – priced at the equivalent of a year’s wages – to express her love for Jesus.

Perhaps she was close to the rumours about the plots to kill Jesus, and wanted to pour love on him before it was too late.

Here, as always, there are those who are mean-minded and cold-hearted. They scolded the woman for such extravagant behaviour. She could have been feeding the poor instead of wasting resources on Jesus.

We don’t know that the woman wasn’t helping the poor. Her love for Jesus was extravagantly expressed and freely given, She didn’t have to do this, but she chose to

What extravagance is Jesus calling you to express your love for him?

Listen:

Lord, what do you want to say to me about generosity and love for you?

Keith, you have always given everything for me. You and Margaret have taken seriously the call to follow me at any cost.

You have taken risks with money in order to bless people who did not deserve your grace. In that sense, you have been good role models to others about my grace.

Always remember you have received freely. Also, you must give freely.