Apostle Matthew in Matthew 26:6-13 describes to us a scene captured in the town of Bethany ‘house of figs/house misery’ [Zechariah 14:4]. The center stage is in the House of Simon the leper, probably invited as an act of gratitude after experiencing healing -the leper [Leviticus 13- understand the parallels of Leprosy and Sin]. This was a just few days to Passover and Crucifixion.

Unnamed Woman with Alabaster jar, a very expensive perfume (oil) came to Jesus and poured it on His Head as He reclined at the table. The disciples saw this and vehemently condemned her. In their ‘judgement’ they expressed that the expensive perfume dispensed on Jesus’ Head was being wasted. Instead, it could be sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.

However, Apostle Matthew points to us that Jesus Christ being the Word (LOGOS) of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account [Hebrews 4:12-13]. Therefore, He PERCEIVED their OFFENSE. And asked them why they were aggravated by her actions. In fact, Jesus attests that She has done a good thing to Him. He asserts that they will always have the poor, but the disciples will not always have Him.

Subsequently, He states “When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever this gospel [of salvation] is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her [for her act of love and devotion].”

Soon after this anointing Jesus is crucified -lifted on the Cross and crowned with thorns as “the King of the Jews” [Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-5]. Nonetheless, we know that God made a promise to David, the Davidic Covenant: an enduring dynasty- an everlasting Kingdom [2 Samuel 7:4–16]. The covenant’s promise is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ the Son of David [Matthew 9:27; 15:22; 20:30; 21:9-10; 22:42]. He parallels the anointing of David which was done 3 times by Samuel the Prophet, Men of Judah and Elders of Israel [1 Samuel 16:13, 2 Samuel 2:4; 5:3]

He is the anticipated King, and He has arrived!

Now, according to Jewish tradition when a woman was prepared and equipped for marriage (a bride-to-be). Her family would purchase an Alabaster box and fill it full of expensive ointments and oils. The size and weight of the box determined the “bulkiness” of her prospective dowry. An ‘unspoken’ rule to the intended bridegroom who would come and ask the bride’s hand in marriage. If she WILINGLY accepted THEN she would take out the Alabaster box and BREAK IT at his feet, anointing them with the oil, a symbol of her honoring his request and a expressing her deep personal devotion and total commitment, towards their forthcoming intimate relationship.

Please Note:

• “Ancient faiths embody universal, core principles like devotion, compassion and righteousness; fragrance acts as the sublime mirror, reflecting these principles during acts of worship."

• “Scent has an effect on triggering one’s memory”

And so, we see this custom paralleled when the Unnamed Woman broke her Alabaster jar and anointed His Head.

Apostle Matthew portrays a perspective different from other Gospels; the Head anointing was an outward symbol that God had chosen and set apart the person (or object) for a specific purpose (holy). This is linked to the Old Testament Patterns of appointments of Kings, Prophets and Priests-Ceremonial anointing [Exodus 29:7; 30:22–32 1 Samuel 9:1-10; 16:12-13, 1 Kings 1:38-40; 19:16, 2 Kings 9:3; 6-10].

Why the Head? It is an emblem of Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Authority and Power]. In Hebrew the head means “Rosh” which means origin, beginning, source, point of origin.

When she anoints Jesus’ Head she has “intuitively” communicated that YOU ARE MY BETROTHED BRIDEGROOM, Judge and KING!

Here, the Holy Spirit through the illustration by Apostle Matthew is conveying a prophetic message to the Body of Christ (typological identification). The Unnamed Woman’s action emphasizes an act of devotion, full surrender and an eternal commitment. Which is a reflection to the relationship between Jesus the Bridegroom and His Bride; she is all in, FULLY devoted sparing no expense. Hence, she serves as portrait of “the Bride of Christ” [Matthew 25:1-13, John 3:29, Revelation 19:7; 21:2].

Why Her? When the Holy Spirit nudges “Go and anoint Him” She innocently fills up a role traditionally with the Jewish culture often reserved for male prophets, and priests. This was a society that habitually prejudiced women; often seen as ‘inferior’ and ‘subordinate’ to men. A touch from woman was forbidden except she is your wife or a Prostitute. Yet, she became the Anointing Agent; “a prophetess of God” to proclaim the future King [Revelation 1:5-8]. She does not use her voice but a prophetic act that instinctively reveals beforehand that Jesus is the Bridegroom & Coming King [Revelation 22:20].

As led by the Spirit of God She does the unconventional (nonconformist) becoming the first disciple, and Woman to acknowledge King Jesus.

The Holy Spirit uses this subtle and bold proclamation to reveal a FORESHADOW of the beginning of the Messianic Kingdom, an eternal kingdom which will be inaugurated upon His RETURN (Jesus’ second coming) for His Bride. His coronation ceremony as KING of Kings upon the union with His Bride; His Marriage and the Wedding Banquet [Matthew 22:1-14, Revelation 19:1-10, 1 Timothy 6:15, Daniel 4:3; 7:13-14].

The awaited Kingship of Christ to be crowned as “THE King of the World” is here; with all Power, Honor, Glory, and Authority [1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 1:15-20, Revelation 1:5-8].

Today, the prophetic clock is ticking we are ushering in the Millennial Reign of Christ, the Golden Age of the Bride of Christ. For there are divine orchestrations and signs far and wide, heralding this new Era. The Bride of Christ has come of Age [Colossians 2:10], ready and equipped by the Holy Spirit (carries [extra] oil with them) [Matthew 25:1-13]. She possesses an accurate understanding and mature faith IN Christ Her Bridegroom, Judge and King [John 16:13]. She is rising in a way that is universally visible to the World taking Her rightful position beside Him.

The anticipated sovereign and transcendent King is here, with glory and radiance and splendor. Are you ready to receive Him? Then the seventh angel sounded [his trumpet]; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,

“The kingdom (dominion, rule) of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell face downward and worshiped God, saying,

“To You we give thanks, O Lord God Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], Who are and Who were, because You have taken Your great power and the sovereignty [which is rightly Yours] and have [now] begun to reign.  And the nations (Gentiles) became enraged, and Your wrath and indignation came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and [the time came] to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints (God’s people) and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and [the time came] to destroy the destroyers of the earth.”

And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning, loud rumblings and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

Revelation 11:15-19

Maranatha! Maranatha! Maranatha!