Matthew 26:6 -13 - Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 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. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
This unknown woman’s courageous act of worship, broke cultural customs, social boundaries and religious practices causing those who were ‘closest’ to Jesus to react indignantly. Her extravagant worship to anoint Jesus had theological and prophetical significance, more than she or the disciples could imagine. This unknown woman did not consider what others would think of her, or concerned how they would react to her. All she knew was, how to worship Jesus with all her vulnerability, wealth, energy, dignity and ability.
This unknown woman is preparing Jesus for His ultimate act of mission to the world, His death and resurrection. Not knowing the depth of spiritual and theological meaning behind this act of anointing, this unknown woman plays a significant part in the gospel narrative, demonstrating a true act of worship, for all to see and know, throughout all generations. She was showing her unreserved devotion to King Jesus.
What causes us to worship King Jesus, wherever we are, whoever is around us? Being anointed! We are reminded in scripture of our anointing.
1 John 2:20
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
Although the disciples were close to Jesus, they had not worship Jesus like this unknown woman. Her attitude of gratitude led her to worship King Jesus with unlimited extravagance.
What does it mean for any of us to worship King Jesus in spirit and truth?
The anointing believers have from Jesus is best demonstrated through unlimited, unreserved, extravagant acts of worship. This anointing is not something taught by humans (1 John 2:27), it is a deep inner soul-searching choice to proclaim Jesus as Lord through every fibre of our bodies wherever we are. To the world around us, and among the religious, it may be perceived as becoming undignified, like King David, (2 Samuel 6).
Worshipping King Jesus is not conditioned by the environment or shaped by the people around us, it is an outward expression of the inner conviction of who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
As Jesus was anointed, Luke 4:18, & in this passage, those who believe in Him and are led by Him, through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, to herald this good news of salvation to all regardless of boundaries.
Prayer: O precious lamb of God, I welcome a fresh anointing of your gospel on my life again today