Scripture:
“Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.”
Matthew 26:6–7 (ESV)
Background:
Just days before His crucifixion, Jesus is anointed at Bethany by a woman who pours out a costly jar of perfume upon Him. While the disciples grumble about the waste, Jesus praises her act of devotion, saying, “She has done a beautiful thing to me.” In the lead-up to His suffering, this woman’s selfless act foreshadows both Jesus’ burial and the kind of sacrificial love that the cross would embody.
Devotional:
In a moment that left many speechless—and some indignant—a woman gave all she had in one extravagant gesture of worship. Her alabaster jar of perfume was likely her most valuable possession, yet she broke it and poured it on Jesus without hesitation. To others, it seemed impractical and wasteful. To Jesus, it was beautiful.
As we walk the road to Easter, her action challenges us to consider: What are we willing to pour out for Christ? Are we holding back the best of what we have—our time, our energy, our love—or are we giving Jesus our full hearts, even if the world doesn’t understand?
This woman didn’t speak a word, yet her worship echoed through eternity. Jesus said her story would be told wherever the gospel is preached. Her simple act of trust and honor reminds us that loving Jesus deeply is never wasted. It is remembered, it is beautiful, and it is the posture of a heart prepared for Easter.
Reflection:
- What “alabaster jar” do I have—something valuable I may be holding back from Jesus?
- How can I show extravagant love for Christ in my daily life this week?
- Am I more concerned with appearances or with wholehearted devotion?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for the extravagant love You poured out for me on the cross. Teach me to respond with the same selfless devotion. Help me to surrender all that I am and all that I have in worship to You. May my love for You never be reserved or cautious but full and freely given. Amen.
Application:
Identify one way this week to “pour out” something meaningful for Christ—whether it’s your time in service to others, a generous gift, or a quiet act of love. Let it be a reflection of your heart fully given to Jesus.
Takeaway:
Extravagant worship flows from a heart that recognizes the worth of Christ. As we prepare for Easter, may we offer Him our very best, not out of obligation, but out of love.
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