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. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” St. Matthew 26:7-13 (NIV)
Those self-righteous disciples could only see the waste. They would never acknowledge the greed, which motivated their response. With Judas leading the assault, they loudly rebuked the woman. But the Lord defended her worship and inducted her into his eternal hall of fame. His acceptance associated her forever with his sacrifice.
John Chrysostom, the eloquent 4th century preacher, said this about her: While “the noble exploits” of countless kings and generals “have sunk into silence” and “they are not known so much as by hearsay, nor by name, . . . yet that a woman poured out oil in the presence of ten men, — this all men celebrate throughout the world.” Even though time has passed, “the memory of that which was done secretly in a house by a woman” has not faded away.
O, that our zeal might be as evident as hers. O, that our reverential worship might be as fervent as hers. O, that our faith might be as active as hers. O, for a devotion so full of loving gratitude as she displayed. Hers was the sort of worship that is acceptable to God!
It is the sort of worship that shall never be forgotten.
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Gracious God, grant to us the fervor of worship motivated by love and gratitude for your sacrifice on Calvary. Instill in us the devotion that cares not what others may think or say. Empower us to worship you in spirit and in truth. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his work on Calvary and live as memorials to it,