Extravagant Love

Exodus 28 Matthew 25:31-26:13 Psalm 31:1-8 Proverbs 8:12-13

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

It is interesting that this story almost comes right after Jesus telling His disciples to take care of the poor and needy. Anytime we do something for the people who are the least thought of, Jesus considers it done to Him. Now Jesus is eating dinner, leaning to one side in front of a short table, and this woman comes into the room, finds Jesus and opens this alabaster bottle of perfume.

The scent permeates the room. If she had come in unnoticed before, she had everyone’s attention now. There, for everyone to see, she carefully pours some of the perfume on Jesus’ head, smoothing it into His hair. The disciples are quick to point out how she could have used the money to help the poor, just like Jesus told them to do.

They were right. She could have used that money to help the poor and Jesus would have counted it as having been done to Him. However, it is still right to worship God. Her heart was full of God’s love, and this was how her heart showed on the outside. It is always good and right to take care of the poor. But we must not forget that following Jesus is not just about doing good things for other people, but acting out on our love for Him, too.

Lord Jesus, we can get distracted by focusing on doing the right things. It is easy to let what we think others will think to influence what we do. Today we want Your love to fill our hearts and we want act out on this love for You. Amen.