I have always been a little confused about the story of the woman who washed Jesus' feet and poured perfume on his head. For some reason I always related to the Disciples who were curious why the lady didn't sell the expensive perfume and give it to the poor instead.
But after reading this week in the Radical Renovation Lenten Study Book, I think that I have a little better idea on what this story means.
This event happened just before Passover, which means that it was just before the Last Supper as well as just before Jesus' death. And the enlightenment that I received from the story is that even though this was a costly bottle of perfume, this was a sacrifice that this woman wanted to make.
Jesus was just about to make an even bigger sacrifice, his life for our sins. But this story helps put into perspective what Jesus did for us on the cross and what we are called to do daily in our lives for Him. Jesus' death on the cross was one that required great sacrifice and love, but that means nothing to you unless you are living your life for him. Being willing to sacrifice anything in your life so that Christ may be glorified. We are called "to offer ourselves the way this woman in the Gospels offered her gift, in unrestrained, extravagant obedience to Jesus Christ." (Radical Renovation. James A. Harnish, 49)
Are you doing this? Are you offering yourself like this woman did, with unrestricted love? If not, do you feel like you should? What would this look like?
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