In Wait: Episode 1 — The Cost of Intimacy/Alabaster Box

Hey Ladies,

Welcome to Episode 1 of our new blog series, The Wait — a journey into the lives of women who have learned to know God for themselves, even in the middle of delay, sacrifice, and surrender.

In this episode, we reflect on a story that teaches us what it means to worship when it costs you everything.

But before we begin, let’s ask: why is this story still so impactful? Though brief, this woman’s encounter reveals a powerful truth — that faith isn’t always loud or long, but it is bold. Her decision to show up and pour out everything she had became a radical act of worship in the middle of her waiting.

The bible says in Matthew 26:6-7:

While Jesus was in Bethany, at the house of Simon the Leper, a woman approached Him with an alabaster box of expensive perfume.

It makes me wonder if she knew He was coming.

If the expectation of His arrival prepared her. Or maybe that her offering was ready long before the moment came. She was already waiting — already decided.

Can we just sit what that for a second?

This woman boldly came face to face with the Lord. But not just for anything, but to pour her incense; her fragrance over his head. Meanwhile she's surrounded by His disciples and her brother Simon.

Imagine how close you have to be in his presence to see the Lord so intimately. So human.

What is Intimacy, Really?

As defined by Google, Intimacy is defined as the act of close familiarity and closeness. In the context of relationships, intimacy involves vulnerability, open communication, and trust  — all things that encompass close knit relationships.

And as humans?

We crave it.

We crave connection so deeply — not because we’re desperate or needy, but because we were literally designed for it. We are just made to live in community. It's apart of our innate nature. It's in our DNA. From the start, God build us for relationship. Think about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

God said in Genesis 2:18:

"It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper corresponding to him."

To go further, Genesis 2:23 says this:

"This one, at last, is the bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh. This one will be called "woman" for she was taken out of the man."

God literally formed the first people out of the ground with the palms of His hands. He created them and called them by name. And yet, they still didn’t honor Him. They still disobeyed (Genesis 3:2–7 CSB).

What would happen if we started to crave the Lord with that much passion?

She didn’t even think twice. Her act of love wasn’t about who was watching or who was in the room — it was about what she knew and who He was.

Proximity vs. Intimacy

The disciples knew Jesus up close, but they didn’t know Him intimately. His disciples traveled alongside Him everywhere He went. They ate with Him. They saw and heard His teachings — yet at every turn, they second-guessed Him and questioned everything.

"Why this waste?" they asked. "This might have been sold a great deal and given to the poor."

The woman didn’t need to know Jesus the way the disciples did to act.

She didn't wait — instead she let her love for God give her the boldness she needed to approach Him.

That's the duality of Jesus, he was both fully human and fully God. Knowing how fragile His flesh was, but understood how much power His Spirit carried.

Here's what it says in John 1:1-3 CSB:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him[...] was created that was created."

Tethered to Christ

That's what Mary knew. That's what she embraced.

That's what kept her tethered to Christ — even unto his death.

Even without knowing what was to follow Him, she gave anyway.

She knew the cost: her pride, the judgment from others, fear, shame. All of it could’ve stopped her.

Yet she was obedient anyway.

She poured anyway.

Because her desire for intimacy was far greater than the cost of her perfume.

💌 Want more words like this? Join the Faith Within Favor email list and get new posts, updates, and faith-filled encouragement sent straight to your inbox.

→ [Click here to subscribe] and stay connected. You don’t have to walk this season alone.