What She poured out . . .

Ever get the feeling that what you’re doing with your life is a waste of time? Sometimes the feeling of futility will hit you in the monotony of your everyday experience, and you’ll wonder if anything you’re doing is worth it. Am I making an impact? Is this course of action effective?

Or someone will offer their negative opinion on the work you’ve carefully cultivated, completely ignorant of the personal cost you’ve paid in the service you’ve provided. Does this effort really make sense? Am I simply wasting my time?

Negative opinions, snide remarks, unkind comments – the woman with the alabaster box had some familiarity with the censure that comes from the judgment of others. In Luke’s Gospel, she was described as having a particular reputation, a sinner known for the promiscuous life she led. When she entered the house of one of the religious leaders hoping to encounter Jesus, it’s unlikely that she missed the looks, the comments, and the ridicule hurled in her direction.

“And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment” (Luke 7:37)

But this wasn’t what caught Jesus’s attention. In an open display of devotion, affection, worship, even intimacy, she poured the most expensive ointment she could on his head and feet, weeping and washing his feet with her hair and tears.

“And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment” (Luke 7:38).

This wasn’t standard procedure. This wasn’t the typical welcome for guests in the Pharisee’s home. This was different. This was extra. This was in the minds of those observing the spectacle an outrageous waste of expense, effort, and time.

“But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, to what purpose is this waste?” (Matthew 26:8).

What happens to us as leadHERs when our own efforts are perceived as not only exercises in futility, but a total waste of energy? Whether we believe the evaluation of those around us or are simply battling that nagging voice in our own minds, determining the value of our life’s work and efforts can be difficult and lead us to disconcerting conclusions. Is this worth it?

“And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her” (Mark 14:4-5).

But what Jesus said when this woman poured out her extravagant gratitude should remind us of the value He ascribes to the life and leadership we are living out before Him. Every effort, every sacrifice, every expression of our lives poured out as worship to Him does not go unnoticed. Often what others identify as a waste is exactly the offering Jesus is looking for.

“When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. . . Verily I say unto you, 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 26:10, 13).

The Woman with the Alabaster Box’s demonstration of a heart of worship can empower us to recognize the significance of the efforts we make and the energy we expend in service to God.

WORK – Engage your life’s work with a purpose to please God.

WORSHIP – Recognize opportunities in your everyday life to demonstrate your heart of worship to God.

WASTE – Don’t waste your energy on the opinions of those who devalue your sacrifice in the service of the Lord.

WORTH – Demonstrate the worth of who Jesus is by pouring out your life as an offering to Him.

LeadHERs, my prayer for you today is that you will allow the story of the Woman with the Alabaster Box to be an encouragement to you as you assess your own life and leadership. First and foremost, remember to whom you are rendering your service, your leadership, your ministry, or your career. Let Jesus’s evaluation be your guide as you live a life poured out.

Your Sister in LeadHERship,

Dr. Margaret R. Frye

Want to learn more about the story of the Woman with the Alabaster Box?

Find it in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:36-50

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