• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Prayer
    • Examen
    • Fasting
    • Sacred Reading
    • Self-denial
    • Silence & Solitude
    • The Sacred Everyday
  • Bible Studies
    • To Do-ers List
    • 1 Thessalonians: A Life of Faith
    • Scripture Art Journaling
    • Walking WIth God: A Bible Study on the Book of Ruth
    • Short & Sweet
    • Daily Bible Studies
    • Take 5!
    • Bible Journal-graphics
    • Scripturegraphics
    • Guides
  • Podcasts
    • Reflections
    • ihear
    • i pray
    • Walking in Truth
    • Topical podcasts
  • Salvation
  • Healthy Living
    • Aromatherapy
    • Children
    • Exercise
      • Faith & Fit
      • Free One-Week Workout!
    • Gardening
    • Herbs
    • Natural Beauty
    • Recipes
    • Stress
  • Shop
  • Nav Widget Area

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

Only By Prayer

Where the sacred and everyday meet

You are here: Home / Blog / Easter Week-Wednesday: Unashamed Worship

Easter Week-Wednesday: Unashamed Worship

Jane VanOsdol

Jane VanOsdol

And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. Matthew 26: 6-7

I love the picture of this scene. Jesus is sitting at a table surrounded by His friends when a woman comes up to Him holding a beautiful alabaster bottle of an expensive perfume. Before anyone knows what is happening, she breaks the bottle and pours it onto Jesus’ head. You can imagine a stunned silence and then Jesus’ friends start to criticize her for her wasteful actions. Jesus, however, does not see it this way. Jesus honors her for her gift to Him and even says that she has anointed His body for burial.

FIrst of all, I love the bravery this woman had. She put aside any fears of personal humiliation and embarrassment and acted out of a genuine love for Jesus. She did not care how she looked in other’s eyes; she just knew she had to act.

Next, I notice the sacrifice of this woman’s gift. This gift of perfume was a priceless gift–that’s one reason why Jesus’ friends were so indignant. They thought she should have sold the perfume and given the money to the poor. She, however, realized the true value of Jesus and that her gift really paled in comparison next to Him. But she gave Him the best she had.

Finally, what she did ministered to Jesus. Her literal outpouring of love and devotion encouraged Jesus’  heart, which was probably heavy with the weight of His supreme sacrifice yet to come.

As I look at her example, she causes me to think about my own reaction to and for Jesus. Am I as brave as she was? Would I do something for Jesus if it caused others to look down on me or think I was weird? Do I care more about Him than about my own reputation?

Next, I have to ask myself do I give Jesus the best of what I have, or am I giving Him my leftovers? And I just don’t mean material things here–all of my resources including my time. Do I only serve Jesus when it is convenient for me, or do I follow the Holy Spirit’s leading and give the best of what I have in all areas? He is worth it.

One brave woman whose example is forever captured in the Bible has given me much to think about this Easter week.

Until tomorrow–pray on!

image_pdfimage_print

March 31, 2010 10:19 pm Jane VanOsdol Leave a Comment Filed Under: Blog, Easter, Holy Days & Holidays

Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

How to Become a Christ Follower

https://youtu.be/K0HALBis50A

New to prayer? Start here:

A prayer is mightier than a wish

Prayer Resources

A Little About Mary

Bible study writer. Teacher. Runner. A fan of all four seasons. Loves Jesus. Follow me @MaryKayKane. Read More…

A Little About Jane

Follow of Jesus. Writer. Beekeeper, herbalist, and aromatherapist. Love looking for the sacred in the everyday. Often find it in the garden. How about you? Read More…

Subscribe to Podcast on iTunes

Please pray as Covid is quickly spreading through many areas of our country and the world. Click on this link to see what One Prayer is all about and for information on the current prayer concern.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required
[fts_facebook type=page id=169366963096917 access_token=EAAP9hArvboQBACjMBkdwSPszTn6T3ENahqBJCltN1U4qLoaEvJ0jmZCpbFkIwdehb4pHtaT4Nrj02teGDyRsfwpCyJXpWMKXedavEAyZAN9R48OZC4BcEra2TXMaY9AcMhkBcktvk9jzCoin6QSJZCk1g4bwoyNkU206LedeqAZDZD posts=1 description=no posts_displayed=page_only images_align=center]

Search by Topic

Advent Advent devotional Bible Bible study Bible study series Christ Christmas devotion Easter faith following Jesus give thanks God God's Word Grace healing heart Holy Spirit hope Jesus Lent life Lord love online Bible study Only By Prayer peace podcast pray prayer prayers praying purpose quick Bible Study quick devotions Ruth scripture Short & sweet short Bible studies short Bible study short devotions sin Thanksgiving walk by faith women's Bible study

Archives

Privacy Policy

Daily Bible Studies

Psalm 23 Remix

Psalm 23 Remix

July 9, 2020 By MaryK Leave a Comment

Psalm 23 is one of the the most well-known parts of the Bible. People who do not claim to be religious can quote parts of Psalm 23. Christians have become so familiar with this beloved psalm we almost cease to hear it. What we need is a Psalm 23 remix- a fresh look at an […]

Newsletter Subscription

My Favorite Post

be loved, Beloved Bible Study

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 is one of the most well known Bible verses in the world. Perhaps you already know it by heart. I’ve had it memorized for a long time.[Read More…]

Only By Prayer Tweets

[fts_twitter twitter_name=by_prayer tweets_count=2 cover_photo=yes stats_bar=no show_retweets=no show_replies=no]

Footer

Feature Anything

Advent Devotional

Re-Advent Your Life Are the hectic holidays derailing your devo time with God? If so, we’d love to have you join us in our new[Read More…]

Featured Product

Beeswax Candles

A Featured Item

Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. As a child, I remember the solemn mass of Ash Wednesday and being anointed with ashes in[Read More…]

  • About Us
    • About Jane
    • About Mary
  • Contact Jane and Mary

© Copyright 2016 · Pretty Lifestyle WordPress Theme by: PDCD