Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God

Reading From Matthew 25:1-25

“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, ⁷ a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

⁸ When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. ⁹ “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

¹⁰ Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ¹¹ The poor you will always have with you,^[a] but you will not always have me. ¹² When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. ¹³ Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

—Mathew 25:6-13

We are not told what was in the alabaster jar that this devoted woman anointed Jesus with, but what a wonder it would be if it were myrrh. Myrrh was mentioned as a perfume in Esther, Psalms and Proverbs. It was given to Jesus by the magi, and it was used in the embalming process in those days. This would fit with the statement of our Lord that she was preparing His body for burial. What a precious gift she gave to Him in preparation for the greatest gift ever given: the salvation made available to all humanity from the Father through the Son.

“Lord may we show our love for You in ways that are extravagant. Help us to give sacrificially to You and the advancement of Your Kingdom of light and love. Thank You for the priceless gift of salvation. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”

Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels^[d] of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels^[e] of fragrant calamus, ²⁴ 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin^[f] of olive oil.²⁵ Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. —Exodus 30:23-25