I am creating a series of art and poems based on the words Jesus spoke to women. This poem is based on the account of Jesus’ words to Mary when she anoints his feet with oil at the house of Simon the Leper found in Luke 7:36-40, Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, and John 12:1-8.

Note: There is a lot of debate about whether these stories are all one account of the same woman anointing Jesus. There is also debate over whether Mary of Bethany, the “sinner” in Luke 7, and Mary Magdalene are the same person. I found this article put forth a really compelling case that they are likely all the same person and the accounts are of the same event. We can’t know for sure, but I have written my narratives as one story, because I found that made the most sense of Mary’s story.

some call me by name
some sister
some just “sinner”

are you shocked at what I was?
my very person
crosses hard lines

a sinner turned disciple
a woman financing men
a female friend of the Teacher

and I cross another to be here now
at Simon the lawkeeper’s house
(“the Leper” in his life before)

Martha serves (of course)
my brother reclines
only days from Passover

and I know death
is coming for the Teacher
firstborn among us all

(Peter said
“never”
but I listen better)

time and powers could steal
another chance to
prepare him

for the coming burial
finest foreign perfume
pure and expensive

I crack the alabaster loudly
gurgling and spilling
scent fills the room

oil on the head like a crown
oil on the feet
(flashes of my brother’s pale feet anointed before burial)

lapping up the excess
with my exposed hair
tears forming pools

“if he only knew”
and “a sinner”
the room simmers

the ones who know me
object that I held back
(from them or the poor?)

 “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 
For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me”

would he breathe in the soothing aroma
in the hour of sweating blood
and reeling pain?

Your sins are forgiven.
Your faith has saved you.
Go in peace.

I used to be shattered
but now I am whole
and poured out

my unwieldy and fractious story
a memorial to
the great love of the pardoned

COPYRIGHT/USAGE: All writing, artwork and photos are copyright Marydean Draws. Please do not repost or resell on another website. I’m happy for you to use my coloring pages and other printables for home, school, and ministry. If you share content, please link back to the original post. Thank you!

Further Scriptures/Resources:

Research Paper: Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany and the Sinful Woman of Luke 7: The Same Person?
Web Article: The Unnamed Woman with the Alabaster Jar

Matthew 16:21-23: “From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!” 23But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Luke 8:1-3: “Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”

jesus speaks to women