The story of the woman with the alabaster box in (Luke 7:36-50) is one that continues to intrigue and fascinate me. Her worship was of such importance that it earned her recognition in the Bible.

It is significant to note that Simon’s leprosy was not a deterring factor, neither was it an obstacle in the way of this woman’s potent and extravagant worship. Her one true obsession was Jesus, and the fact that He was in that house was motivation enough.

The consequences of such a risky action, was irrelevant as long as she was able to lavish her worship on Him. Nothing was strong enough to deny her, shift her focus, or stop her from the satisfaction to be derived from her lavish worship. Her worship was equally not hidden, but visible to all those present. Although such wasteful extravagance made no sense to them, it mattered not since it made absolute sense to Jesus.

Most people, like Simon the Pharisee, worship God for the loaves and the fishes, they will rather wine and dine. Such people are hasty to judge the style, purpose, and intent of such worshippers who dare to render unto God reckless and passionate worship. They are the ones who wander and ask the question “what’s in it for me” or what do I stand to gain by wasting my time and resources? Many of them shudder at the thought of looking stupid in the estimation of others.

God seeks worshippers like the woman with the Alabaster box, who will, regardless of spectators or judgmental Pharisees, throw themselves at the altar, and render unto Him passionate, superfluous and exorbitant worship.

God is not moved by the act of worshippers who have been knocked unconscious by the smoke, but by the passion of worshippers who are brave enough to be engulfed in the flames.

This kind of worshipper is not bound by rude comments or critical reviews, but is freed to shower unto God potent praise and adoration.

 Ignore therefore the empty remarks of the Pharisees. Bring your tambourines, flags and banners, streamers, flutes and what have you. Bring most important of all, your alabaster boxes, and let’s worship God in Spirit and in truth; surely, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17