His Last WeekSample

A few days before the cross an unnamed woman showed up and poured expensive perfume over Jesus’ head at a dinner party. This was a wildly extravagant act of worship: the nard was worth a year's wages. She recognized Jesus' value and responded in worship. When someone sees and values you, it evokes a heartfelt response.

But those around Jesus at the table objected. I can only imagine the thoughts running through their minds: A woman! Touching a Jewish man! A rabbi no less! In this intimate setting! And all that money! Unbelievable! But Jesus welcomed her presence. He received and valued her worship. He didn't seem to mind her disruption and embarrassing behavior. Instead, he allowed her to respond to who He was...to pour out her heart as she poured out the perfume.

Women often recognized Jesus and followed him because of the focus, love, and value he showed them in a culture where they were overlooked and denigrated. Jesus saw them in ways that culture didn't. He was willing to break the social conventions of Jewish culture to connect. Many of these women go unnamed in Scripture, but Jesus knew every one of them. He never treated women as less-than. He didn't overlook them the way other men did in a religious setting. He received their presence in shocking situations like this.

Jesus always saw the unseen—even during his last days. The woman who showed up with a year's salary and dumped it in perfume on his head was actually anointing him physically to complete the fullness of that mission. When Jesus was on the cross just a couple of short days later, he’d surely have caught a whiff of his perfumed hair, remembering that this death was part of what he was anointed to do. This cross was good news for every one of us who has ever felt overlooked, unseen, or rejected. Jesus sees and knows you right now.

Today tell Jesus how you feel unseen right now. View the cross in a new light today: as reassurance that you are valued and known.