Gently Radical

The woman written of in the gospels who anointed our Savior was just an ordinary woman. However, her expression of love is legendary.

“When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and 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 This scene painted in Luke 7:37-38 (see also Matthew 26:1-16, Mark 14:1-12 & John 12:1-11) awakens a feeling in me, best described as “gently radical.”

During this time in history women kept their hair pinned up. Paul even goes so far to say in one Epistle that a woman’s glory is her hair. Yet, humbly she departed from the culturally accepted thing, took her hair down and used “her glory” to serve Him tenderly.

The radical offering of pouring out a year’s worth of wages onto the feet of the object of her affection is riveting. Recently, I heard a speaker discuss this passage. He stated that the average annual wage today in his area of the United Sates is about $50,000 -- he asked the audience to imagine the idea of $50,000 being spent in just a few minutes blessing the Lord. Seems absolutely extreme doesn’t it? Yet, His forgiveness compelled her heart to pour out such an amazing gift! Resonating with me, that great forgiveness begets deep gratitude.

I find it irresistible that she preaches without saying a word -- preaching with tender kisses and extravagant fragrance! Over the years as I am brought back to these passages about the woman (or possibly -- women) anointing Jesus I have always focused on how she ministered to me and how she ministered to the people who witnessed the event, and Jesus’ response to her and those around them. Until recently I never really considered how these moments had also ministered to the Lord.

“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. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray Him, objected, Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages. He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.” John 12:1:3-7.

This passage finally “clicked” for me. While Christ is hanging on the cross taking in His last breaths -- He is inhaling the scent of the expensive perfume that Mary anointed Him with. In those last breaths what He smells is the fragrance of her love, sacrifice and devotion.

As I take in the aroma of her love, it struck me in a whole new way again… how true it is, that we love because He first loved us. This love of hers is only made possible because of His love, sacrifice, and devotion for her and all of His children. Including you and me.

My heart longs to be the kind of woman who uses all that I have to serve Christ. I am grateful that in Christ this is a possible dream. “In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, He brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life…“ 2Corinthians2:14-15 (Message)

May the air around you fill with the fragrance of love and life everywhere you go.