Women of the Bible - The Anointing Sinners
Locations: Jerusalem at the home of Simon, Bethany at the home of Lazarus, and Bethany at the home of Simon the Leper
The anointing sinners can be seen as three distinct women. Of those three women only one was given a name whom we know as Mary. In each instance the anointing women are recorded as anointing Jesus with precious and expensive ointment. They also washed his feet. Each of the women have a different lesson for us to consider.
In the passage of Luke the woman came into a Pharisee's home and washed Christ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. She also anointed him with ointment and kissed his feet. The Pharisee witnessing this voiced aloud to himself his own thoughts (vs. 39 known as a soliloquy). This woman expressed absolute passionate worship of Jesus. She probably was a sinner with an immoral reputation yet she exemplified true discipleship through her humble act of devotion. Jesus even says to Simon that he is well aware of her past lifestyle. She expressed her gratitude for the grace that she received which cancelled her debts of sin. Jesus says this woman whose sins are many loved much and was forgiven yet "to whom little is forgiven the same loveth little. What a powerful example for us!
In the passage in the book of John, Jesus goes to Bethany in spite of the danger that awaited him. In this passage we find Martha and Mary. Martha is characterized as a servant and Mary a worshipper. This is the second time that Mary anoints Jesus feet. The first is when Lazarus was sick (John 11:2). Mary uses a pound of expensive nard or fragrant perfume tho anoint Jesus and wipe his feet with her hair. Mary a Jewish woman is seen in public unbinding her hair, this would have been considered borderline scandalous which only underscores her deep devotion. Jesus countered Mary's sacrificial act of devotion by indicating that her devotion was rightly performed in anticipation for hi death to come. It was a custom that dead bodies were anointed for burial; however, Jesus was alive and anointed!
Matthew 26 Jesus is anointed in Bethany by and unnamed woman. This woman brought an alabaster box of very precious ointment and poured it on Jesus head. The disciple saw it as waste and questioned; however, Jesus understood it and said "for she hath wrought a good work." The ointment was poured in preparation for his burial once again. In addition Jesus goes on to say that "wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her." Matthew 26:13
The scriptures point to three distinct women that anointed Jesus feet. Although they are different they share some similarities. One woman performed her act of worship early in Jesus ministry while in the home of a Pharisee that dispied her. The anoint with oil was an uncommon practice on those alive but was culturally acceptable on those deceased in preparation for their burial. The woman and her future was transformed in Luke 7 and her past was wiped out, giving her grace and peace.
Today our past is not important as our future or present life with Christ is. Although the woman in Luke was identified by her past by the Pharisee, Jesus transformed her heart. This tells us that although people sometimes identify us with our past eventually as we continue on our journey with Christ they will see the change and recognized Jesus in us. Our past doesn't determine our future. We are granted the privilege of humbling ourselves to become transformed having our sins remitted and to live a changed lifestyle with Christ forever.
So today seek to be transformed by the renewing of your mind and listen to God as we continue on our journey with him. Never forget who you were is not who you have to continue to be allow God to transform, renew, and remit to experience forgiveness and grace!
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