As we journey on through Holy Week so we come to the anointing of Jesus. The account varies slightly from Gospel to Gospel, but in all of them two facts stand out for me. First, that the woman pours out not only her perfume but her love for Jesus in an intensely private yet -as Jesus foretells-what will become a very public moment. Secondly, that Jesus welcome the woman, accepts her and her precious gift-of perfume and her heart. It reminds me of this lovely, childlike hymn from William Walsham How.
It is a thing most wonderful,
almost too wonderful to be,
that God’s own Son should come from heav’n,
and die to save a child like me.
And yet I know that it is true:
He chose a poor and humble lot,
and wept and toiled and mourned and died
for love of those who loved Him not.
I cannot tell how He could love
a child so weak and full of sin;
His love must be most wonderful
if He could die my love to win.
I sometimes think about the cross,
and shut my eyes, and try to see
the cruel nails and crown of thorns,
and Jesus crucified for me.
But even could I see Him die,
I could but see a little part
of that great love which, like a fire,
is always burning in His heart.
It is most wonderful to know
His love for me so free and sure;
but ’tis more wonderful to see
my love for Him so faint and poor.
And yet I want to love Thee, Lord;
O light the flame within my heart,
and I will love Thee more and more,
until I see Thee as Thou art.
Wyvis Churches 