John 12:3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

The Way, what early Christianity was called, was controversial to the people of that time. Not only for Jesus coming to fulfill the law, but for the cultural norms that were broken for these times. Jesus, considered a Rabbi or teacher. allowed His feet to be anointed by a woman. This was a major no-no for this time. Mary could have actually lost her life.

But Jesus did not shun her or chastise her. He welcomed her act of service to Him. Mary knew with every fiber of her being Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus saw into her heart and knew this was an act of worship. He praised her for this. The disciples tried to condemn her but Jesus quieted their rebukes. This was the beginning of the women’s rights movement.

Then there was the concern about the cost of the oil. It was almost the equivalent of a year’s wages. Judas the thief and betrayer fussed about Mary using such expensive oil on a one time act. He wanted to sell the oil to be able to steal the money. But Jesus defended her.

Jesus came to change everything. No more sacrifices needed, no more penalty for sins forgiven and giving precedence to people over rules. Radical is a good word to describe what he ushered in. Have you been radically altered by His saving grace?