It can be so easy to judge. This story shows us that even the disciples, who had walked with Jesus for three years and had seen his life and the way he loved and accepted people, fell into the trap of judging by what they saw on the surface.
The picture is a dinner party with the guests already sitting at the table. Suddenly an unknown woman comes to Jesus, breaks a beautiful bottle of perfume, and pours it on his head. Everyone knew that this perfume was very special, very expensive. It was worth one year's wages.
It has often been said that perception is everything. From the disciple's perspective this was an excessive waste of money, and they were angry. They had better ideas how to spend the resources represented by this bottle of costly perfume.
Jesus, saw this woman's act in a very different light. He saw beyond the surface. He saw her costly act as an action of devotion. His vision was of her heart and the prophetic nature of her actions. He didn't judge. Jesus was open to hear her heart and to receive what was so lovingly, sacrificially offered. He honored this nameless woman and said that wherever the gospel would be preached, her actions would be remembered.
Yes, it is very easy to judge by what things look like. I wonder if I would have seen this any differently than the disciples did. Sometimes people come into the congregation and they worship the Lord very differently than I'm accustomed to seeing. I do sometimes think they are a bit extravagant and should be quieter and not so demonstrative. For me, this story is a beautiful reminder to look under the surface, not to judge only by what I see or think I know.
Lord, help me to see as you see. Lord, help me not to judge the motivations or actions of others. Help me to be ready to pour out my life to you like the woman in this story poured out her precious perfume.