Mary and her alabaster box: Anointing Jesus

When you understand the full package of our salvation through the finished works of Christ, you will be compelled to live daily to please Jesus Christ. Imagine committing the worse of all sins, one of which you are liable to imprisonment and you plead guilty. Then the judge handling your case declares you quilty worthy of imprisonment. While you were patiently waiting for the judge to declare the terms of your sentence and how long you will spend in jail, the judge says: ‘You are guilty as charged but I have laid your sin on my only son. He will take the sentence on your behalf. You are free, go but do not commit those things that you did again.’ I believe until someone taps you to show that you are not dreaming, you might find it hard to believe. How can this be? Is this possible? This story is very related to what God did for us through the atoning death of His Son Jesus. Before Jesus died for us, some people were set free from bondages and others also received forgiveness from their sins. This post will consider one woman who received so much from the Lord Jesus Christ and out of her heart gave out her precious possession.

A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. (Matthew 26:7)

Jesus’ ministry reached out to the sinners and those who the religious leaders of his day shunned. He ministered to maniacs, demon possessed, adulterous people, those with leprosy and blood issues (all tagged unclean by the religious leaders) among many others. According to Luke 7:36, Jesus was invited by a Pharisee to a dinner in his house at a town called Bethany. Jesus accepted the invitation and went and reclined at the table as was the practice. The Pharisee represents the self-righteous religious leaders. While Jesus was there, “a woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” (Luke 7:37‭-‬38). I can imagine the shock on the face of the Pharisee. John’s gospel even gives more details. This woman is Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 11:2). John also gives details of perfume: “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John 12:3).

Mary did not pour any oil, she poured expensive oil and this act caught the attention of Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed Jesus). Judas objected to Mary’s action and said, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” (John 12: 5). Mary’s worship, which was the anointing of Jesus, was worth a year’s wages! Mary understood what it meant to be loved irrespective of your past. She didn’t hold on to her alabaster jar, she poured it on Jesus’ feet. Judas on the other hand, although had been with Jesus all this while, cared not about worshiping Him with his best. In fact, according to the gospel of John, Judas didn’t make that comment because he really cared about the poor. Judas was a thief and as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it (John 12:6). Judas lived with Jesus, travelled with Jesus, ministered with Jesus and even was sent to heal the sick and share the Good News but he was not transformed, and Judas couldn’t lay before the feet of Jesus what matters most to him. Mary encountered Jesus, received a transformation and gave out her most expensive perfume to honour Jesus.

Even the Pharisee who had invited Jesus said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” (Luke 7:39).
“Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:40‭-‬47).

Before Mary left the house, Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven” and, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:48‭, ‬50). Mary left relieved and satisfied. She fulfilled her call to anoint Jesus. Her action was not to gain commendation, according to Jesus, “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” (John 12:7‭-‬8). Remember, after the death of Jesus, by the time the women got to the tomb on the third day to anoint Jesus, He had already resurrected. Imagine if Mary had missed that!

What do you have to pour at the feet of Jesus today? One gospel musician (MOG) said, “we lay our crowns and worship You”. Be ready to lay down that which matters most to you at the feet of Jesus. Your degree, wealth, marriage, job, children etc., should not prevent you from worship. Mary broke her very expensive alabaster jar, and worshipped even when it seemed foolish to the Pharisee and Judas Iscariot. Don’t allow naysayers to disrupt you, worship Christ with what matters most to you (your crown). He deserves it!