Matthew 26:1–16

Be Still: Lord, quiet the noise within me that I may hear your voice. Amen

Read: Matthew 26:1–16

Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her. (v 13)

Encounter: When people tell your life story, what will the story be?

A recent survey asked Gen Alpha (c2010-2025) what they wanted to do in life. The third most popular answer, behind doctor and engineer, was influencer. It captures the mood of the emerging generation, a desire for visibility and impact, a hunger to be known and to shape how others live.

At dinner one day, Jesus says that whenever the gospel is preached, one guest's actions would also be related. Along with Jesus' story, people will hear of this woman. Wow! Many today would chase a legacy like that. To be remembered forever!

What is striking is the reason for her influence. She didn't possess a rare skill or invent something world changing, was neither powerful nor wealthy; instead, she poured a whole jar of alabaster perfume over Jesus' head, an act so extravagant that others criticised her. But Jesus chose to honour this costly devotion for what it was – an act of pure worship.

Who is she? Matthew never tells us. The woman is remembered but unnamed; the only name we carry away from the scene is Jesus. Her influence is found in this very anonymity. She reaches the true goal of the Christian life. She loses herself in worship of him.

Not only would her story be told whenever the gospel is told, but the gospel would be told whenever her story is told. This is the aim of every follower of Jesus. To live a life so rooted in worship, so captivated by Christ, that anyone who tells your story cannot avoid telling his. To live in such a way that your actions, words, and choices only make sense in the light of the grace of God, revealed in Jesus.

Apply: Consider Jesus' story: spend some moments contemplating the Cross and the empty tomb. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what it would look like to live in a way that only makes sense in the light of the gospel.

Devote: Holy Spirit, give me a fresh revelation of the gospel that my story may reflect Jesus' story.