A Selfless Act: A Fictional Retelling of Matthew 26:6-13

My heart thudded against my chest as I approached Simon’s house. Jesus had been invited to dine with the former leper, and many other friends had joined them. I expected a welcome as a close friend of the Master.

I clutched the alabaster flask tightly as I held it close to my body. The fragrant oil inside was expensive, and I did not wish to spill it needlessly. The plan for this oil caused my heart to race and my palms to sweat. Not everyone would understand why I needed to do what I was about to do.

 Kings and priests were anointed, and Jesus was both of those things. I was at Simon’s house to anoint my LORD.

 I received warm smiles from some of the disciples and head nods from others acknowledging my arrival. I noticed a couple of them staring at the alabaster jar, but they had no way of knowing what I had planned.

When I saw Jesus at the table, my heart calmed and swelled with love and adoration. This was no romantic crush. The one sitting there was my Saviour. He had turned my life around and forgiven me of my sins. He had given me purpose, and I owed Him, my very soul. I didn’t want to merely use words to express my love—I wanted to demonstrate my feelings in a big way. Nothing was too good for Him.

When my eyes met His, they mirrored my heart. His wordless smile and nearly imperceptible nod told me that He knew why I was there. I knew He loved me even though I had done nothing to deserve it.

I forced my feet to shuffle toward Him, breaking the neck of the flask in the folds of my scarf where it would be hidden from those seated near Him. The sweet smell of the oil drifted up and reminded me of my gift’s extravagance. But I never hesitated or doubted the rightness of my plan: Jesus was worth every drop.

When I approached the table and stood close enough to touch Him, His head moved again. It was time. I raised the flask and poured the oil over His head, silently thanking God for sending Jesus to save us.

The room fell silent. The first sounds I heard were gasps. I kept my eyes closed in prayer but lowered my face toward the floor as the scent of the oil permeated the dining area.

There were murmurs, and then an angry voice growled, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” John 12:5 NLT

I raised my head to see the speaker: Judas. His words felt like a blow to my stomach. Had I done wrong? Was it too much? My stomach grew tighter as I recognized sounds of agreement from others surrounding me.

But Jesus looked into my eyes. My LORD saw me.

When he scanned the angry faces, the murmuring stopped, and the room went silent again. His voice was gentle as He reprimanded them in the sweetly scented space.

“Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” Matthew 26:10–13 NLT

And, indeed, her generous gift has been remembered. It was recorded in the books of Matthew, Mark, and John, although the story is told slightly differently in each one. John identifies the woman as Mary (the sister of Lazarus and Martha) in his account (chapter 12), and he describes how she washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair as well. What an extraordinary demonstration of her love this was!

If Mary had kept the oil and used it to anoint His body after His death, no one would have objected. But she chose to do it while He was alive and could appreciate the love behind her gift. She knew she risked criticism and judgment by those in Simon’s house, but Jesus was worth it to her.

In His response to her generous gift, Jesus didn’t refute the importance of giving to the poor. However, at that moment, it was more important that He be honored in this extravagant manner before His death. Mary was His Father’s choice to anoint Him this way, and she followed through with her mission.

It can often be challenging to turn our focus away from ourselves and what we want or need. But putting others first shows people how much they mean to us and how much God loves them too!

 Paul says in Galatians 5:13:

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”

When we surrender to Jesus and give generously to others, could it ever be a waste?

How can you be extravagant and extraordinary in your service to others this week?

Pray with me:

Father, show me what I can do to honor you by serving others. Open my eyes to the needs around me and use me to demonstrate Your love. Build Your kingdom through me. Amen.

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