“Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26.13
The woman of Bethany pours out her alabaster jar of costly perfume. Jesus gives a response that does not turn people from giving to the poor but ensures that we are not overlooking or judging love in action right in front of us, for His namesake. Jesus declares that this woman will be remembered as the Gospel is preached throughout the world. Here we are today, still remembering the action of love taken by this woman as she fixes her eyes on Love Himself.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:4-8
In this season of Lent, we continue to lean into these truths. We are returning to the Lord, rending our heart to Him, with no fear yet deeper faith.
“Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.” Joel 2.13
In the scene this week in Matthew, we witness a woman in an act of honor, sacrifice and deep tenderness as she turns toward Jesus. Turning towards Jesus often calls for such a response as this. We also have on the scene some disciples who are looking at the woman. These disciples’ eyes may have been turned towards this woman in possible judgment, criticism, or analyzing her with spiritual justifications.
As we return to our God, turning to seek Him releases us from the power of our control and releases us from the power to control others. There is no fear as we turn towards Him.
Let’s live into the truths we know are true.
Reflection:
- What is right in front of you, beckoning for your heart?
- What do you see first: the circumstance to fix or the heart to hold?
- “Return to the Lord your God.” How might you fully live into this truth today?
Prayer:
Colossians 1.9-14
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
