Mar. 25: Extravagant Love

"Now the Passover was only a few days away… while Jesus was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar, a pint of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head, and weeping on Jesus' feet, she wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly. "Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." (Mark 14, John 12)

What would inspire someone to make such a grand gesture? Jesus had no doubt made a huge difference in her life at some point. A pint—16 ounces—poured over his head and shoulders, down his back, legs and feet. And she wept, partly at his impending death and partly out of gratitude and worship, and wiped his feet with her hair. What would inspire a woman to love a man like that?

Forgiveness; Acceptance; Freedom. Jesus had offered her all of these and more. I want to worship Jesus like that—maybe not the perfume and kissing of feet—but with a sense of abandonment, not holding anything back. Not from a sense of obligation or indebtedness, but an act of appreciation and total allegiance.

Why do we wait until people die before we send flowers or cards? Why not give the flowers beforehand so the person can enjoy them? Why not give the cards in advance, telling the person how much they are loved and appreciated, and the difference they’ve made in one’s life? That’s what this woman did; she gave her best, her all, so that Jesus would know of her devotion and gratitude.

~ Father, help me to worship you without restraint, regardless of cost, not because someone said I should (obligation) or could (permission), but simply from a heart of gratitude. Amen.