She Was THE Charter Member

I’m not big on social media. I’m the stereotypical 55-year-old woman because Facebook is where I typically land. I haven’t fully embraced Instagram and I don’t even have TikTok. But a friend recently sent me something that continues to make me smile. She introduced me to the “We Do Not Care Club”. The brilliant woman behind this idea is Melani Sanders. Basically, she’s speaking for all women who suffer with menopause or perimenopause. She posts short, funny videos making statements like, “We do not care about thigh gaps and flat abs. We’re just glad we had a bowel movement today”. She sits in her kitchen, in her car, or wherever the mood strikes, and with her spiral-bound notebook and highlighter in hand, she proceeds to cover the topics for that day; the things we no longer care about.

The stories in the Bible are amazing. They often don’t play out the way we anticipated. Sometimes they don’t seem fair, and other times I’m left thinking, “Why can’t I catch a break like that?” I’ve never been able to name a favorite story; I have different favorites for a variety of reasons. But one story in particular has always garnered my attention, no matter how many times it’s told: The woman with the alabaster jar. While I was driving home a few days ago, I heard yet another teaching on this very story; and I’ve been tossing it around ever since. I know you’re likely a bit confused about how I’m going to make a connection with the WDNC Club and this woman from the Bible, but hang in there for just a few paragraphs.

Culturally, there were many rules for women in the days of Jesus. They couldn’t own property, they weren’t credible as witnesses, many believed they shouldn’t be seen in public without their spouse or father, and interactions or conversations with women were closely guarded as well. It was often a very restricted life in many regards. In my opinion, that makes the story of this woman with the alabaster jar even more intriguing.

The account is mentioned in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 7. But when we look at timelines and other information available, it’s seems to suggest that this is actually two separate events that are very similar. A room full of men are reclining at the table in this house and Jesus is present. A woman (Luke says, “who was a sinner”) learned that Jesus was there and brought an alabaster jar of perfume or ointment. The text indicates that the value of the perfume was nearly a year’s wages. It’s also important to note that the value of the jar itself was significant. Alabaster was something like marble that probably came from Egypt. She approached the table (specifically where Jesus was reclining), broke the jar, and proceeded to pour the contents on his head and feet. The text in one account tells us that she approached from “behind”. This makes sense if you understand their posture as they reclined. We could also suggest that this was in a spirit of humility. She continued by kissing his feet and wiping them with her hair. She didn’t care what others thought. It didn’t matter what rules she was breaking. The ramifications of her actions were the furthest thing from her mind. Jesus was all that mattered.

I’ve closed my eyes countless times over the years to envision this scene. I’ve put myself in the place of this woman. I’ve also put myself in the seat of the disciples and others who were present and watching everything unfold. It’s easy to consider myself in her shoes. I’m more like her than most might realize. My sins are many, my shame has been great, and my gratitude grows with every encounter. The more challenging consideration is being the spectator and sitting so proudly while judging. I’ve been that person more times than I care to admit. If you’re honest, I’m guessing you have been, too. This is where I had my epiphany while driving down the road.

I DO NOT CARE anymore. The shame, embarrassment, guilt, and all of those other stupid words don’t rule my life any longer. Jesus is all that matters. I understand that at times, rules are important. I realize that God created a hierarchy of authority for a reason. But I gotta be honest, I’m super glad she was a rule-breaker and was THE charter member of this “We Do Not Care Club”. The rules that we break are meant to point out our depravity and turn us to Jesus. That’s where I’m at. I’ve seen my life for what it is. What it has been. And now I see where it was pointing me all along. And I DO NOT CARE what anyone else thinks.

Luke 7:47 ~ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven ~ for she loved much.