“The Woman at Bethany
Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.
And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.”
But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 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 26:6-13
The Woman at Bethany
After the triumphal entry of Jesus with palm branches and praises shouted (that we celebrate on Palm Sunday) and before His arrest, Jesus has an interesting encounter with a woman at Bethany.
After this interaction, Jesus tells his disciples that whenever His gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, this woman at Bethany and what she did will be remembered.
How cool is that?! A woman’s actions remembered alongside the sacrifice of Jesus.
What did she do?
The woman at Bethany had an expensive jar of the perfume, the jar was even made of alabaster. She brought the perfume to Simon’s house in Bethany. Jesus was there eating dinner.
The woman proceeded to pour out the perfume on Jesus’ head. To our modern sensibilities, this seems more like an insult than an act of worship.
Jesus’ Reaction
However, the reaction of Jesus tells us everything we need to know. Jesus says that she has done a beautiful thing. He says she has prepared his body for burial.
Back then, dead bodies were bathed in spices and perfumes and wrapped in linens to preserve them and help stave off stink.
The Disciples’ Reactions
The disciples reacted like most of us would. They saw how expensive the perfume was and thought it would be much more practical to sell the perfume and give the money to the poor.
Yesterday, our focus was giving to others. It is very important to give to the poor, but the heart of the woman who anointed Jesus with perfume is in the right place.
The Heart of the Woman
She is worshiping Jesus with the gift of her perfume. She is lovingly anointing Him, and evidently is being led by God. Since the act of worship is preparing Jesus for his burial, she must have been led by God because she did not know that he was going to die.
For her act of worship, she is remembered throughout history. I would love to remembered for an act of worship! How amazing!
Action Step:
Our Focus today is the EASTER STORY!
Easter Story: We will take days throughout Lent to learn different events leading up to the resurrection of Jesus.
Today, let’s pour out our worship to Him! Put on some worship music and sing to Him. Or take a walk and worship the Creator as you look at His beautiful creation. Or give something that you value to God’s work here on earth.
Find a way to pour out your worship, glorifying God today.
Prayer:
Dear God, You are amazing! You are so worthy of our worship. We are so glad that you know our hearts and see our intentions. Help us to pour out our worship to you today! Lead us as we honor and glorify you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
