All the gospels recount a story of a woman anointing Jesus with oil, apparently only days before Jesus’ crucifixion. Scholars seem to think that Matthew, Mark and John record one occasion of anointing in Bethany and Luke records a separate event in Galilee. As I was listening to Annie F Downes read the gospel of Matthew, this beautiful story stood out to me again.
The alabaster jar fascinates me— as I understand, it was typically a flask with no handles and a long neck tied by a cord which hung around the woman’s neck. Typically the neck would be broken to release the fragrant oil. I thought about the devotion to Jesus of the woman in this story and wondered again, what made her break the jar? Why now? She knew Him already. She’d heard His teaching, seen His compassion, and witnessed His miracles of healing. I bet she’d heard all the whispers about Him too, pro and con. Her devotion had been built up over time and she’d made up her mind to somehow demonstrate her allegiance. Whatever transpired before the events of that evening, after she’d broken the jar and emptied the contents on Jesus’ head, the atmosphere was changed. I try to imagine the commotion and chaos of that room and I know that what lingered in the air wasn’t just the fragrance, but the emotion. This woman had connected with Pure Love itself in a way that demanded that she give everything she had. Her extravagant act of love and devotion was a reckless emotional response to all she had seen and witnessed in the past months and years as a follower of our Lord. Her action was costly. It was irrevocable—she wasn’t going to get the jar or the contents back. And the sole recipient was Jesus. Unless you count being able to smell the resulting fragrance, no one else benefitted. Indeed it was a gift for a King. And in the midst of the aftershock—when everyone had an opinion and no problem vocalizing it, Jesus rose to her defense. He called her actions beautiful. Jesus, reader of hearts, discerner of motive and intent, accepted her complete adoration and worship and was moved by her actions. He received her sacrifice, prophesying that it was indeed his burial anointing. The impending death and burial reference part fell on non-understanding ears. Did they hear the part about the gospel being preached throughout the world? I doubt it. Their senses were still overwhelmed with the fragrance of that oil. It spread throughout the room, affecting all who inhaled. It was the fragrance of a king released only after breaking the container. It affected everyone who was present:
Because their eyes had just witnessed an act of sheer love, spent on a king who would die. And rise again. Thousands of years later, I’m still trying to understand the consequences of breaking open that jar.
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AuthorLoving words written to increase hope. Archives
May 2020
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