BACKGROUND READING MATTHEW 26: 6-13 MARK 14: 3-9 LUKE 7: 36-50 JOHN 12: 1-8. OR JUST MARK 14: 3-9
Susannah was wealthy and well loved, living a privileged life. Reflecting on this later she says: “I had no idea how lucky I was.” On the surface her life of privilege carries on after her marriage as she moves from one comfortable, spacious home to another.
Her husband was a harsh man who relished hurting people. When, after several years, he put her aside he spreads rumours that damaged her reputation so badly that she could never return to her parents’ home.
Despite her father’s financial support, she is alone and isolated in a society that refuses to even listen to her side of the story. In our post truth society we recognise how easily that can happen.
Her friends, Joanna and Mary of Magdala almost had to drag her to meet Jesus. As he looked at her across a crowded room, she realises that there is no need to explain or justify herself to him. She recognised that he loves her just as she is. As he tells her: “Dear child, your sins are forgiven.” she was free from all her burdens.
She joined the women who followed Jesus, “providing for him out of their resources”. At Bethany she takes her most precious possession, an alabaster jar of pure nard. Breaking the jar, she pours its contents over Jesus’ head. It’s an act of extravagant love and self-giving, that was misunderstood then as now. But she knew that he understood the gesture, even if others did not.
What do you need Jesus to set you free from this Holy Week?
You can listen to Paula Gooder read Susannah’s story here: