Most of the time we are caught up in the every day and life can pass by quickly without taking pause to experience what is precious. As we think about this passage from Matthew 27, we wonder at this woman of God. What kind of a person was she? We can study into it and discover what this passage says about her, and her motivations. But we also can explore what it says to you and I as women who love Jesus. We can ask the question, how does a woman express her love for Jesus in such a profound way, today?

What was going through Mary’s mind as she stood behind Jesus, holding this precious bottle in her hand? Was she thinking about the men at the table, criticising her? Was she thinking about the loss of the costly fragrance, perhaps originally intended for her own wedding celebration someday?

I tend to think Mary was only thinking about one thing: the extravagant act of love she was about to bestow on her beloved Jesus.

Jesus had just raised Mary’s brother Lazarus from the dead, proving once and for all that this Jesus was also God. This act of love and power must have been personally and spiritually extraordinary! Mary chooses to do something that everyone else thinks is a terrible waste. She alone knows that this perfume is a small act of love for all that Jesus is to her. She wants to do this one thing so much that she doesn’t care what anyone else thinks.

What does this passage mean for me?

When I wrote an entry in my personal journal about this passage of scripture, I asked myself the question: What are you pouring out on Jesus?

You may be wondering the same thing about yourself. How long has it been since you really felt yourself expressing your love sacrificially? And what would that even look like?

How does a woman express her love for Jesus sacrificially? I thought about it. I realised that my time is my most precious commodity, and one that I often hoard for myself! It takes effort to shift my busy schedule for a simple act of worship today. The good news is, if you also feel you have gotten away from your posture of honouring Jesus, it is so easy to begin putting that right with a grateful prayer.

How does a woman express her love for Jesus when others in the church have hurt her, or diminished her service? Like Mary, we pour out our love and gratitude on him, and let the rest become background noise. The past is past, and today can be a new beginning, with a renewal of the preciousness of Jesus in your life and mine.

You can take a moment of your precious time to pour out your love on Jesus. Let this prayer be the first of many discoveries of how you can give Jesus, freely and joyfully, your love.

Time to Pray

If needed, withdraw to a quiet place for a few minutes. You may imagine Jesus sitting before you. You are standing behind him, or at his feet. Notice his posture toward you. What is your position toward him? Give the moment what it deserves: your time. Consider what gift you are giving him today.

Lord Jesus, I want to honour you today with …

Amen

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If you would like to explore another way of going deeper in your relationship with Jesus, explore our article on Bible journaling here.