The smell of meat roasting and bread baking was thick in the air that evening, as the men gathered to eat dinner together. Jesus of Nazareth was invited to dine with Simon, the Pharisee. Scripture is unclear as to the motive behind the Pharisee’s invitation to the Lord, but Jesus taught wherever He went, and this night was no exception.

Deep voices of men talking and laughing resounded around the room as the dinner progressed. Jesus reclined on a couch around the dinner table, with His feet extended, as was the custom of the day. With the buzzing of servants bringing the food and refilling empty cups, no one really paid much attention to the woman, as she timidly entered Simon’s home. Perhaps they thought she was also one serving, or perhaps she was a familiar face among these religious leaders.

The woman held her head down, as if to hide her face in the crowd of men. Her eyes, clear and convicted, slowly lifted from the floor. She was searching for Him, for the Teacher, because she had heard He would be here. At last her eyes froze on the face of the One. She held the long-necked bottle of perfumed ointment against her stomach, as if to conceal the churning she felt inside. With trembling hands tightly gripping the hard alabaster, she began to move towards the One whom she had been searching for.

As emotions began to well up inside of the woman, tears began to roll down her powdered face. It wasn’t long before her heart opened like a flood gate, and she fell at the feet of Jesus. She could not see His face for her many tears, nor could she hear the men in the room. Her mind was thinking of the words she had heard from this Teacher, Jesus. They had penetrated her very soul, cutting to the marrow of her bones, and she had never felt more alive. That was why she had to come to Him. She had to share her gratitude for the One who had given her hope.

The woman’s long dark hair cascaded around her entire face, shielding her as a tent, as she wept behind the Master. Her tears poured out, running down her cheeks onto the feet of Christ. And as the warm tears touched His skin, He looked up and was aware of her there. He could not see her face, but He knew who she was, and He knew what was in her heart. He knew her before she was born.

The scent of the perfume was faint at first, but soon it was heavy in the room. The woman opened the alabaster jar. Wiping the tears from the Teacher’s feet with her hair, she was so moved with love and gratitude, that she fell on her face. She kissed His feet, and began to pour the perfume over them, anointing them in the fragrance. This public display of adoration was purely heartfelt, and as she praised Jesus, her tears continued to flow. All time was lost, but her heart was renewed, and her gratitude was shown…

When one encounters the Living God, the heart is forever changed.
When one has seen Jesus, their face reflects His goodness.
When one has heard the very Words of God, they long for more.
When one is so thankful and grateful for a second chance at a new life, they must find the Life Giver and praise Him.

Have you thanked Him for your new life?
Have you truly shown Him YOUR appreciation?

Please thank Jesus with all of your new heart, simply for loving you.

Ever so grateful this day,

         Alison