ChangeMakers: Unsung Women of the Bible (Vol 2)Sample

Unnamed Woman who Anointed Jesus’ Feet

Imagine the Pharisee’s dining room the day Jesus came to visit! Can you imagine Jesus sitting at the table with a Pharisee having dinner, eating something scrumptious with a savory smell filling the air and baskets of freshly baked bread lining the table? Surrounded by dining guests sitting comfortably with servants ready to refill their cups as the wine ran out, Jesus turned his head to see one uninvited guest.

She doesn't have a name. All we know is that she was sinful.

She opens an alabaster jar of perfume, a scent so strong it instantly fills the room! As the odor shifts, so does the tension and attention of everyone present. The unnamed, sinful woman starts crying, weeping, actually, with a sound that even overwhelms the scent! Her tears flowed onto Jesus’ feet. She dried his feet with her hair, kissed them, and anointed him with the entire alabaster jar of expensive perfume.

The room fills with her scent and sound, an expression of worship and gratitude so powerful we’re still reading about it today.

Faith led her to the home of a judgmental religious leader to offer all she had, hoping for the forgiveness of sins and peace that passes understanding. Her messy, wet faith brought her to a room she wasn’t invited into to meet a man whose love she had only heard about.

Just as she had interrupted the dinner, the Pharisee's judgment interrupted her fragrant, weeping worship, reminding everyone in the room that she was indeed a sinner. But unlike the Pharisee, Jesus accepted her offering and responded with an invitation. The uninvited woman was offered something even better than a seat at the table! Jesus welcomed her offering of worship and responded with an invitation to forgiveness.

Her faith led her to the Pharisee’s house.
Her offering led to her forgiveness.
HIS love led to her redemption.

Prayer & Meditation

The text doesn’t say what led up to this moment. If I had to guess, I imagine this woman heard about who Jesus was, that He was coming to her town, and that even though she wouldn’t be welcomed in the house He was visiting, her desire to meet Jesus was so strong that she wouldn’t let a lack of invitation, shame, or embarrassment about her past hold her back.

Meditate on the painting above. Imagine what it took for her to set aside public opinion to vulnerably approach Jesus.

What are you holding back from Him? What piece of your past do you think is too sinful? What would it look like for you to pour yourself out at Jesus' feet? Prepare your offering for him. Risk being judged by those who didn’t invite you. Focus on the one who always has an invitation waiting for you.

May your messy, wet, weeping worship end with peace and a new beginning.

Written by Hannah Rowen Fry

Photo Credit: Painting by Lars Justinen