Extravagant. Magnificent. The temple and its building materials.
Enormous stones.
Gold and polished bronze.
The dedication is a ceremony to end all ceremonies.

Extravagant. Magnificent. The temple and its building materials.
Enormous stones.
Gold and polished bronze.
The dedication is a ceremony to end all ceremonies.

Alabaster jar, broken. Pure nard poured out. On the head of Jesus.
The woman, unnamed, anoints Him with exquisite perfume.
Extravagant. Expensive.
And some in the room? Indignant. Scolding over such a waste.
But the anointed One surprises.
Confounds.

“Watch and pray.”
Jesus said this to His followers. In the hours leading up to His arrest and trial and crucifixion.
Garden of Gethsemane. Place of excruciating surrender.
“Not my will, but Yours be done.”
