anointing

“Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26:13

The world was swirling with the intrigues of the religious leaders and the earthbound perspectives of Jesus’ twelve disciples, but very quietly in the center of it all was a woman who poured out her very expensive perfume for the purpose of anointing Jesus’ body for burial. Jesus was filled with a deep appreciation and gratitude as a result of her great sacrifice. This action was highly significant to him—more so than anything else that was happening at that moment in time. Only God knows what motivated her to do this. Maybe she was driven by her own gratitude and appreciation for how Jesus had ministered to her, or maybe she had sensed God calling her to serve and prepare Jesus in this way. Whether from love and gratitude or obedience or both, her small but highly controversial act was purposely recorded in the Bible and is remembered with admiration throughout time. In her own quiet, unassuming manner, she took the risk to do what was NOT acceptable in the eyes of the world or the religious culture of her day, and she received harsh judgment and verbal abuse from these same people as a result.   Simultaneously (and throughout all eternity), her actions on Jesus’ behalf were and are celebrated with honor and acceptance and praise in God’s kingdom of heaven. What a wonderful paradox—it fills me with a deep sense of wonder and joy!

I am impressed with this woman! Her quiet courage and unashamed compassion are inspiring to me. Her willingness to go against the accepted norms of both world and religion in such an expression of love, gratitude, obedience and respect set her apart as one who truly knows God and experiences his love daily. She is a very good model that I want to follow.

If I am to be remembered in any way and for any reason, I want to be remembered for my love, devotion and obedience to my Father in heaven who loves me dearly. My prayer is this: Father God, show me how you are calling me to live out each day, give me the courage to be both quiet and controversial in obedience and service to you and to those you lead me to, and let my value and treasure be always in you, alone.

Amen!