This bold, brazen woman barges into a dinner party. Uninvited. She comes right up to the Guest of Honour and does something highly irregular that makes everyone else incredibly uncomfortable. Except for the Guest. His eyes are tender and His words are kind. She is welcomed by Him. She is invited into His family. For Jesus knew her heart…
Just as He knows our hearts.
This Holy Week, as we remember the days leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, we read about an unnamed, uninvited woman.
How did she know that Jesus was King of Kings, deserving of a special anointing? That as she poured her precious perfume with trembling fingers onto his head, it would be a foreshadowing of his death and burial?
Surely, she heard the whisper of God telling her to act on this wreckless notion. And she obeyed. Her most prized possession, her treasure, her wealth in liquid form—she took it in an alabaster jar, entered the room uninvited, broke the jar, and poured its aromatic contents onto the Saviour.
Imagine, the air would have been saturated with its richness, a shock to the senses, heady, powerful, rich. And then as it permeated throughout the room, its spectacular sweetness would be inhaled by everyone present. Jesus included. The fragrance lingering on his body for days. Maybe until it was time for His body to be broken. For this dear woman, and for us today.
She was brave. She cared not what others might think. She cared only for Jesus.
And what the critics in the room called a waste, Jesus called worship.
“I promise you that as this wonderful gospel spreads all over the world, the story of her lavish devotion to me will be mentioned in memory of her.” Mark 14:9
The only invitation she was concerned with, was the invitation from Jesus. To be welcomed and accepted by Him.
“God invites us today to live a great story with Him.” Lysa TerKeurst
That challenges my heart…
Her lavish devotion to Jesus is a stunning example for us all, that we might put Him above all else.
Friend, depending on where you live, this Easter weekend may look a little different for you—again. It’s the first Easter my husband and I have ever spent without any of our kids or family, and I’m not going to lie—we’re missing them like crazy. (The bulldogs will be receiving a LOT of attention.)
But know that even if we aren’t able to extend invitations around the Easter Sunday dinner table, we can always invite others into the love story of God sending His Son as a sacrifice for all.
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” John 3:16
This week especially, let’s draw near and listen for God’s whisper as we focus on the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for every one of us, and then rejoice in His glorious resurrection and its promise of life everlasting!
Have a truly blessed Easter,
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Linking up with some fabulous encouragers! Check them out:
This woman had such guts. And yes, her scent was probably on Jesus for his last few days. What a thought. ” what the critics in the room called a waste, Jesus called worship.” Have a good Easter, Laura.
Hi Theresa, thanks for stopping by! 🤗 Yes, she was so courageous, especially for a woman back in the day. An inspiration for us all… Have a wonderful Easter!
“She was brave. She cared not what others might think. She cared only for Jesus.” I so need to remember this. Yes, she was truly an inspiration for all of us. Thank you for this encouraging reminder, Laura. Have a Blessed Easter! P.S. Your bulldog is so cute! 🙂
Hi Trudy— this is a good reminder for me, too. She had eyes only for Jesus! And thanks, little Lulu is a sweetheart! 🤗 Have a blessed Easter weekend!
I love your approach to this. She was brave, I hope I could be that brave if God calls me to anything similar. Thank for sharing
Hi Debra, thanks so much! 🤗 I love this account of such a brave woman… and her beautiful example for each of us. Jesus first, always. Have a wonderful Easter weekend!
Thank you, Laura for highlighting this beautiful story of courage and devotion. While others criticized and disdained her, she poured her all u[on the love of her life. Stunning worship.
Hi Donna, I just love this story so much! 🤗 So glad you enjoyed it… blessings to you this Easter weekend!
I love how you constructed this scene Laura! I’ll be spending Easter without children & grandchildren again too. But we have Jesus & our hubby’s!
You’re always welcome to join me in an Easter cuppa at Tea With Jennifer,
He is Risen!
Bless you,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer, it’s always a pleasure to have you here! 🤗 And you’re right… we have Jesus and our dear husbands. Blessed indeed. Wishing you a wonderful Easter weekend!
Great reminder of how we shouldn’t hold back, this woman gave everything she had and so often we or I even keep some things away from the Lord!!Thank you Laura for this story of love sacrifice and worship!xx
Hi Heidi, thanks so much! I love this story… even though it convicts me, too. I wonder how often Jesus gets my “leftovers” when He deserves my very best. My everything. We are such works in progress! But still, He loves us. 🤗 Sending hugs!
This has long been one of my favorite stories, there are many layers to it, it was worship to be at His feet.
Hi Rebecca, I’m with you— definitely one of my favorites! 🤗 Thanks so much for stopping by… blessings to you!
And I love the song the Alabaster Box. 😇
I’ll have to check that one out… thanks! 🤗