Luke 7:36 The Voice

“Picture this:  Just as Jesus enters the man’s (Simon) home and takes His place at the table, a woman from the city-notorious as a woman of ill repute-follows him in.  She has heard that Jesus will be at the Pharisee’s home, so she comes in and approaches Him, carrying an alabaster flask of perfumed oil.  Then she begins to cry, she kneels down so her tears fall on Jesus’ feet, and she starts wiping His feet with her own hair.  Then she actually kisses His feet, and she pours the perfumed oil on them.” (italics mine)

I close my eyes and I can almost see her, Mary Magdalene.  I see her running, dressed in the uniform of a prostitute, hair flying wildly behind her in the wind.  She holds her costly jar of oil tightly.  I see her bursting through the doors of a dinner party she wasn’t invited to.  I can almost hear the gasps of the other guests and I wonder if her presence offended the self-righteous and religious rule followers we call Pharisees.  She spots Jesus in the crowd and falls at his feet with scandalous affection.  She smashes the jar and begins to pour.  Her tears mix with oil and dirt and puddle around His toes.  She wraps the feet of her Savior in her hair, unconcerned all eyes are on her.

Mary knew her reputation.  She knew Jesus (along with everyone else) knew her reputation as well.  And she didn’t let that stop her.  There seems to be a tangible urgency, as if she is no longer able to contain her praise and adoration.  I love her bravery and courage-marching through the doors, confident she had a place in belonging.

Historically, this “alabaster flask of perfumed oil” was extremely expensive and given to a daughter by her Jewish parents for her dowry.  It was to be poured out onto her husband’s feet on the night of their wedding as a sign of devotion, submission and obedience.

This oil was Mary’s only possession of worth and the price of her future.  Yet, she holds nothing back.  I think her act of worship was born out of a deep, deep gratitude for her Savior.  Mary’s thanksgiving is a beautiful picture of a rescued and thankful heart; Quite the example for us all.

The New King James Version calls this perfumed oil a “fragrant oil.”  I imagine that the scent of a large amount of “fragrant oil” would be carried throughout the room-maybe even throughout the entire house.  So gratitude changes the atmosphere.  It permeates our prayers and shifts our focus back to the Giver.

My friends, I am Mary Magdalene.  You are Mary Magdalene.  The nature of our past doesn’t matter.  Scripture says “we all like sheep have gone astray.”  Our faithful Shepherd sought us out and pulled us up out of our muck and mire, un-offended by our mess.  He removed the stain of our sin and gave us His robe of righteousness, spotless and clean.

Therefore, may we worship, abandoning our “self” and letting go of the opinion of others.  May we know with confidence we have a place in the family of God.  May we bring Him all we have, even the most costly and lay it down at His feet.  May praise and adoration flow like oil out of a thankful heart…a grateful life.

May our gratitude be a fragrant offering to our Lord.