It was a first for those present, a scandalous activity with no previous precedent. A woman approached Jesus at table, broke open her future with the breaking open of an alabaster jar.

Then she anointed Him with its contents of precious perfume, paving a way for His burial to come. She was the first to truly recognise His imminent death and burial were nigh and act accordingly.

She was the first to anoint Jesus as prospective Lord and Saviour. The first to lavish love so abundantly, to waste her own resources and dignity on Him.

And in doing so, to cause an outcry and uproar among the disciples. For in their moral high ground estimation, who in their right mind would put pouring out expensive perfume on Jesus above giving the money it cost to the poor?

However, love shows itself in a multiplicity of ways. Knowing and believing we’re God’s beloved will change our actions and outlook.

[bctt tweet=”Knowing and believing we’re God’s beloved will change our actions and outlook.”]

This anointing released love as a sweet perfume into the room because of Mary’s actions. This wasn’t the first Mary to be part of God’s redemptive story and she won’t be the last.

However, this Mary was  recognised by Jesus as having deep insight into the reason why He came. She was the first to openly devote herself to Him and anoint Him for burial as future reigning King.

Are you concerned about never having come first in anything? Please don’t be. Take comfort from being your own unique self. It’s all God asks of you in relationship with Him.

[bctt tweet=”Take comfort from being your own unique self. It’s all God asks of you in relationship with Him.”]

And in His topsy-turvy Kingdom values we have the mystery of the first being last and the last becoming first as we are all changed by His grace. Maybe, like Mary, we can learn to allow Holy Spirit to prompt us into an act of generous surrender out of love for Jesus?

Perhaps we can experience a ‘first’ opportunity in our lives as we open up our hearts and minds to Him? I hope so, my friend, I really do.

I’m sharing my (a bit longer than 5 minute) words with Kate and the lovely five-minute-friday crew as the first leap back into writing in community together for 2016. And with Barbie for a spot of sacred soul sharing at Weekend Whispers. Come join us?

PS: You can read the full biblical account of the anointing of Jesus here…