Jesus & The Oil

Sometime during their stay in Bethany, Jesus and his disciples are guests in the home of "Simon the Leper" - a follower of Jesus who had felt His healing touch firsthand. While Jesus and the other guests are reclining at the table to eat, a woman approaches Jesus and her extraordinary act of devotion stirs controversy. Read the story, then follow the guide.

READ

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 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. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.  When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:6–16

REFLECT

The perfume that soaks the head of Jesus is much more than just a fragrance. It represents financial security and provision. But, it is the woman’s joy to open the cap and empty every last drop on the One she worships. This radical offering of love foreshadows what will occur on the cross. Moved by the sacrificial love of Jesus, we offer every part of who we are in worship. We do so not to prove we’re worthy of His love, but instead it is our declaration of already being fully known and fully loved, leading us to pour our lives out for the sake of others.

RESPOND

Take a moment to worship God and express your appreciation for the depth of His love, the consistency of His character, and the security His hope provides. Write out a prayer and speak it out loud or sit in silence. Listen to a worship song or sing it out loud. 

Remember, it doesn’t matter what your worship looks like; what matters is the pouring of your heart out to God as a response to Christ’s sacrificial and generous love. 

PRAY

Lord Jesus, may I respond to Your sacrifice

by offering my life as an act of worship.

You gave all You had, so I will be generous:

with my time, my provision, and my talents.

As I empty myself and look for ways to give,

I will rest in the security of Your love. Amen.