The story of the woman with the alabaster box is one that has had great impact on generations of believers. One single act of worship became a resounding memorial that still stands today. It challenges as well as invites us to a closer more intimate walk with Jesus ourselves, and it calls us to look deeper than surface at this familiar story. What struck me as I read her story again was NOT just that she poured what was precious to her, but that there was suffering involved. Not only did this woman give what was most valuable to her, she also experienced rejection, misunderstanding and scorn from the mouths of others, and yet that didn't seem to matter as she saw Jesus to be her singular focus. The beauty of her suffering in that moment was she was not alone, for Jesus suffered WITH her, also being reviled and maligned, and as she poured out her jar onto his feet, His testimony of her was that she was preparing Him for His own greater suffering to come. In that instance, though, there was a glimpse of joint suffering. She freely poured out hers as HE soon would as well.
This moment today is a challenge to pour out, not only what we have worked for, but that which we have cried over, experienced deeply and have held dear, such as our places of suffering. Jesus shared in our suffering so that we can share in His, and this is the most beautiful gift of love ever given.
