Matthew 26:1-46

Many years ago now, my Mum received a small cheque from her step-sister who said that she wanted Mum to have some money before her step-sister died because she wanted to know that Mum had enjoyed it rather than waiting till Mum might have been too old to enjoy it anyway! She was absolutely thrilled not least of all because it meant she could thank her step-sister while she was still alive.

There are times in life when things happen that are a real joy that we never expect. I think Jesus felt a bit like that when the woman at Simon's house anointed him. He hadn't expected it and he had really needed it because things had been hotting up and he was aware that there were people who seriously wanted him out of the picture.

He had done too much for those who needed help; he had said too much about the misuse of the Jewish laws; he had spoken out in public against the Pharisees and Sadducees; he had welcomed outcasts like lepers, tax collectors and women into his ministry circle; and just a few days before this event he had actually raised his best friend from the dead! If they didn't get rid of him soon, people would seriously begin to believe his teaching and turn against the teachers of the law.

The people who saw his anointing on that day were confused for various reasons: some knew that people were anointed sometimes if they were being prepared for burial: but Jesus wasn't dead (yet)! Some knew that people were anointed if they were about to be king: perhaps Jesus was about to lead a rebellion to take over the Roman governors. Some, like Judas, were really cross because they felt it was a waste of money.

There were many others who would have benefited a lot more from the money that the jar of perfumed oil could have raised had it been sold. But of course Jesus's time was short and this was the only chance the woman had to do what God had called her to do. The poor would still be there when Jesus was dead.

But you know for Jesus, what was more important was that she did it because she loved him and she wanted to bless him - spoil him if you like in the only way she knew how. He knew by now that it was likely he would die and he knew the pressure was really on. Whatever he did and whichever way he turned, he faced opposition. They either didn't like the way he did something or they didn't like the way he said something: whatever he did he couldn't win.

Whenever we are under intense pressure like that, what we really want is some TLC and if something wonderful happens in the midst of all the hassle, it really blesses us particularly when we are not expecting it. Jesus hadn't expected this anointing. He was truly touched and blessed by her actions.

What I really want to say tonight is that I think God is just like that woman. She could see the pain Jesus was in and the struggles he was going through so she sought to bring some ease to it all through her anointing. In the same way, God sees us in all our struggles and God feels the pain we feel in different situations and God longs to bring ease to our minds and hearts through the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Are you hurting tonight about something? It could be anything: a relationship; a job; lack of self esteem; self loathing; loneliness; rejection; grief; frustration; exhaustion. Whatever it is you are hurting about God wants to soothe the pain and spoil you a bit. What can God give us that we could never give ourselves that would do just that? The Holy Spirit.

When the Holy Spirit is poured out upon us and we actually allow the Spirit of God the freedom to move within us, we can physically feel the pressures and intensities of our lives, ease and become less prominent. The problem is will we give God the space to work in this way or will we insist on carrying the burden ourselves? Do we believe God wants to help us - do we even want God to help?

Jesus could have stopped the woman from anointing him at any time - he would have known once she began to approach him what she was going to do. But he didn't: he knew he needed this relaxation time; he knew he needed preparation for burial and anointing to be king; he knew his heavenly Parent wanted to bless him in the only possible way - it was about as close as God could get without actually giving Jesus a cuddle.

He needed TLC and he needed it now - the pain and anguish was too great and the thought of what he was about to face was very, very daunting. Are you carrying a heavy burden tonight? Have you got worries and cares too great to see through? Are you dealing with a situation that you can't imagine the answer to? God wants to anoint you now and God wants to ease the pain.

We are going to sing a song now while the offering is taken: Holy Spirit rain down: I'd like to invite you in the privacy of your own seat, without standing, to open your heart to God and allow the Holy Spirit to anoint you and to ease the hurts. We are going to sing this a few times to allow God to minister to us tonight. No problem is too great and no problem is too small: let's open our hearts now and be filled afresh. Think of it as a spiritual massage from God.