bold worship of a Savior

In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.

Matthew 26:12-13

Jesus received an offering of pure worship from an unnamed woman in this passage. In the home of a man Jesus had healed, as Jesus and His disciples were enjoying a meal together, this woman approached Jesus carrying an expensive alabaster jar of anointing oil, a rare fragrant perfume. This would have been something treasured. Perfume was for the wealthy. Alabaster was for the wealthy. But here she is, pouring it ALL on the head of Jesus, in essence saying to Him, “Jesus, You are worth more to me than anything I have ever treasured. I love You more. You deserve this. Take it all.” Jesus was right to call her actions a “beautiful thing” (Matthew 26:10).

Yet the disciples, who should have known better, call it all a “waste”. They point out in judgmental “holier-than-thou” false piety that the jar and its contents could have been sold for a large sum and the money given to the poor (Matthew 26:8-9)…. A true observation, just not a right one! They judge this woman not joining in mutual worship of Jesus, but instead, perhaps out of jealousy for her extravagant love for Him they deride her. “How dare this woman be so engaged with the Master! What does she think she is doing! Why does Jesus let a woman be so outrageous with Him?”

Jesus rebukes them with a truth they never saw coming. One day soon the disciples WOULD understand how this woman’s worship prefigured Jesus’ sacrifice. Her extravagant pouring out of perfume on Jesus was just the first anointing for His death. And she was the only woman given this privilege. Fast forward to Resurrection morning where again woman are the bold disciples while the apostles are in apparent hiding. Women arrive at the tomb of Jesus hoping to anoint Jesus’ body, and instead find an empty tomb! The disciples were left behind by caring women once again, and the only anointing Jesus ever truly received that prefigured His death was back in the house of Simon. Jesus was alive again before His body could ever be prepared properly for the grave! Thanks to the bold love and worship of a woman willing to give it all, the smell of perfume wafting from Simon’s house still drifts in the air with the gospel even today!