In the Scriptures there are a few different stories of women with alabaster boxes that anoint Jesus, one story says His head is anointed and another His feet. Some say it was Mary Magdalene and some say it was not. Putting that aside, we do know a woman approached Jesus who had been caught up in many sins and we have supposed over the centuries that this woman had been a prostitute. I believe this to be so and we can imagine the horror of the Pharisees that this woman was in the same room as Jesus, never mind coming close to Jesus and touching him. We also know that the Apostles themselves were none too happy with the pouring out of expensive oil, most of all Judas of course.

I would like you to think of this for a moment. A prostitute comes to Jesus and has in her possession, an oil, a fragrance that is worth about a year’s wages. In today’s terms, we see something that may represent the value of an expensive, brand new car. She takes this possession of hers and she pours it out for Jesus. If this woman was indeed a prostitute, then we know where she probably got the money for this oil. Can you imagine this scene. A lifetimes savings, something that would represent this woman’s security for her future, simply poured out over Jesus. This is an incredible thing. This oil is the results of a lifetime of sin. She comes to Jesus and in exchange for a lifetime of sin, which she simply pours out at the feet of Jesus, she receives an eternity of love and forgiveness. And the fact that she was such a ” great sinner,” only meant that she received even more love and forgiveness. Brothers and sisters, this brought me to tears as I considered the open arms of Jesus to the sinner, to the sinner still in his/her sin.

Her willingness to humble herself and come to Jesus and pour out everything she has at His feet meant that she found redemption right there. Jesus’ arms are still open wide. He came not to condemn but to seek and to save the lost. There is no one beyond His reach and if you read this and think you have went too far, you have sinned too much, can I tell you that this is not true. This means if you humble yourself and come to Jesus and bare your soul to Him, holding nothing back, you will not only find forgiveness but you will find an incredible love and mercy and acceptance. He will wash you clean, He will restore you. Your sins will be cast into the sea and He will never resurrect them again. You will find new life and a new life in Him. The things you did before you will not do again. The living God Himself will take up residence in your heart by the power of the Holy Spirit. Imagine this, just moments before, a woman is the most undesirable person in her community, hated by all and condemned and judged. Now she is forgiven and accepted by the Living God Himself and not only that, He comes to live with her as a sign to all that she has found acceptance with God.

This is no mere story to me. This is also my own story. While I was not a prostitute, I was truly among the chiefest of sinners. I lived a vile self-centered life and indulged myself in most sins. Then I found Jesus. When I approached Him, I was so ashamed but never the less I was drawn closer still. I tried to hide my face because of my own sudden awareness of just how sinful I was. As I stood there in His presence with the light of God shining into every dark corner of my soul I was truly in agony. Yet the depths of that agony was suddenly overwhelmed by an overwhelming love. “He loves me,” my soul cried out, “He loves me.” And I was overtaken by the mystery of redemption and reconciliation. While I was yet in my sin He loved me and it was this love, in the context of truly seeing the depths of my sin, that I was saved. This is the message of Calvary, praise the Lord for the miracle of forgiveness and salvation..........bro Frank