In the final week of Jesus' life, while religious leaders plotted his death, a woman performed an extraordinary act of devotion by breaking an expensive alabaster flask and pouring pure nard over Jesus' head. The disciples criticized her actions as wasteful, but Jesus defended her, calling it a beautiful thing. He revealed that she understood what others missed - that he was about to die and she wanted to express her love while she could. This story teaches us that extravagant devotion to Jesus only looks excessive until we truly understand who he is and what he has done for us.