Surprised by Jesus

The disciples had been traveling with Jesus for almost three years. They experienced the Son of God, the promised Messiah, up close. They had observed countless miracles and learned a lot from him. They knew that one should love his neighbor and that helping and giving are signs of the Kingdom of God. 

The woman who was in Simon’s house probably didn’t know what the disciples had witnessed firsthand over the past few months and years. Perhaps she wasn’t thinking at all as she reached for the alabaster jar full of precious oil and walked toward Jesus. Was she acting on impulse? Guided by God? Maybe. How else could she know that this very perfume oil in her hand would prepare the Messiah for his burial? In any case, she acted with determination and without warning when she poured the oil over Jesus’ head.

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 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. Matthew 26:6-7

The disciples were outraged when they saw the woman, whose name is not mentioned, pouring the precious oil over Jesus’ head, which glided down to his feet and spread on the ground. What a waste!

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. Matthew 26:8

Countless times the disciples have heard Jesus’ teachings. They witnessed him rebuking the Pharisees and calling them to be merciful (Matthew 23:23ff). They heard the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and saw him repeatedly practice generosity (Mark 6:37ff).

His teaching took root in the hearts of the disciples. So much so that the disciples rightly said: 

“This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Matthew 26:9

It’s interesting how we can walk in faith for years and be convinced we know how it works. Yes, we have received grace, we give thanks for the cross, we live by the commandments, and we know God. Wait… do we really know him? Or are we willing to be surprised by Jesus again? Do we allow him to cross our thinking, our worldview, even our understanding of God so that we can see him as who he really is? 

The disciples, at least, were once again in the situation where they thought they knew how it worked. But Jesus surprised them. They loved him and knew him, and for that very reason, he showed them a new aspect of himself. 

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Matthew 26:10-12

Sometimes we draw conclusions from our past experiences with God, thinking “God did such-and-such last time in this situation, so he’ll probably do similar things now.” We try to pin God down, regulate him, and thus make him predictable based on our experiences. “That time the breakthrough came through prayer, last time God spoke through my small group… I’ll do it like last time and God will do his part again.”

But you know what? God cannot be narrowed down, nor limited in our thinking. Are you ready to be encountered by God in a new and fresh way? Are you willing to let him interpret your situation differently than last time? Do you allow him to show you other facets of his character?

God can’t be limited. He will repeatedly explode your perceptions and open up new ways of looking at things. 

The disciples were on a good path because they faithfully brought forth the response as they thought they had learned it from Jesus. But they had not asked him what the oil was all about at that very moment. This is why it is so important that we stay close to God and be in conversation with Him. We need to keep asking how he wants to work right now and what we are supposed to contribute. 

What the woman did was unexpected for the disciples, but it was good at the same time. It even did accomplish much more than the alms the disciples wanted to give to the poor: It prepared Jesus for his burial and there’s even more: 

Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26:13

EVERYWHERE will be told what the woman did for Jesus. Jesus was up to something so much greater than the disciples would have expected. 

Read more:

Being happy as a Christian

How to share the gospel despite rejection

About waiting and being content

⭐️ Do you want to know how to study the Bible for yourself? Get my free 19-page-long Bible Study Basics Guide by subscribing to my newsletter down below. 

⭐️ Follow me on Instagram for more encouragement 

Share This: