In Memory of Her

          There is a woman in the bible whose story seems so simple, but I believe it is one of the most powerful stories ever told.  She has been on my mind all week.  She ministered to Jesus a few days before his death.  She interrupted a meeting and poured her life savings, a costly perfume, upon Jesus.  The fragrance filled the room.   This unnamed woman was mocked for her action.  She was told she was an unwise steward. The religious told her she should have cared more for the poor.
            Who is to say we wouldn't feel the same way today?  Think of the needs of the people at that time.  Imagine a woman wasting somewhere between $25,000 to $100, 000 on one man.  It wasn't even practical.  Why would one man need to be covered in such extravagance?  She was the deciding factor in Judas's betrayal.  When Jesus defended her, Judas made up his mind.
            Yet this woman walked in a different realm.  She walked in the realm of the unseen, prompted by the Holy Spirit.  When so many were waiting for Jesus to minister to their needs, she was ministering to him.  In the days that would follow,  he would be deserted by everyone.  The sins of the world would be on his shoulders. He would be separated from his heavenly father, and he would suffer beyond all human comprehension.  Yet the fragrance of her perfume would linger in his nostrils.  The memory of her love would comfort him in the darkest hour.  No wonder Jesus declared that wherever the gospel is preached her story would be told.
           I believe this unnamed woman was willing to pour all she had on Jesus because he saw her in her brokenness.  She was willing to waste her life because he told her her life was not a waste.  I believe this unnamed woman truly understood the man before her was her savior.  Today are we still lovesick for the man Christ Jesus?  Have we heard him say our name, or are we going through the motions of religious duty.  It is love that gave her the boldness to do what would be remembered throughout eternity.

Mark 14: ⁹ Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.