THE WOMAN WITH THE ALABASTER BOX
“You don’t know the cost, of the oil in my Alabaster box…” CeCe Winans
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, cancelling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said.
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Very typical, the woman’s name is not known except for the fact that she was an immoral woman. That was her label, her identity in the community. Notwithstanding, that didn’t stop her from seeking Jesus out when she heard He was in town. As soon as she could work her way to Him, the only one in the room who did not judge her, she didn’t mind getting dirty and seemingly undignified at His feet. What overwhelming love that filled her, she couldn’t but pour all her love on Him, because she experienced acceptance and love. Imagine the side talks; even Jesus’ host was embarrassed and somewhat judged Jesus in his heart because Jesus did not respond the way it was expected; to maybe cast her away, reprimand her or not even allow her to touch Him. But that’s not Jesus at all, with Him anyone can come, that is just the way He is.
It doesn’t matter what you have done, what people call you, or the labels associated with you, just allow Jesus in. He is at the door of your heart, knocking and waiting. Just let Him in, He will turn everything around for you, just like He did for this woman. Anyone can come.
