COMPLETE DEVOTION

John 12:3      

Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. John 12:3, NKJV

Mary a picture of pure, undistracted, and complete devotion to Jesus. With perfect vision she sees the glory, power, and beauty of Jesus. And because of her clarity of heart and mind, she holds nothing back in showing her love and devotion to Him.

Is our heart filled with the same love for Jesus that we are willing to do the same? Mary's offering of love was costly. It was extravagant. Judas accused her of excessive devotion to Jesus! Yet to this criticism Jesus responded, "Leave her alone." He knew that her offering of love came from a heart that was on fire with love for God.

It was a heart that saw the unsurpassed beauty of Christ and could not help but offer complete devotion in response. In an act of worship, Mary poured her perfume on Jesus feet. She knelt to the ground and washed His feet, ignoring the opinions of others. Mary gave radically. She did not know if she'd be able to live through the day but trusted Jesus anyway. She gave with such extravagance that the disciples told her she'd given too much.

To put Mary's situation in today's terms, it would be like going to church this Sunday, feeling called to give, and writing a check for your entire year's salary. Yet, this is the same way God gave to us. He gave His best when He gave us Jesus. God not only calls us to radical faith, but He also calls us to radical giving.

May the same be true of us today! Let us serve the Lord faithfully and selflessly, but never as a distraction or replacement for our primary devotion to Him. Spend time today reflecting upon the worthiness and wonder of Jesus, and let your heart be renewed with praise and gratitude. Then, from that place of love, go forth to love and serve others as a pure offering of praise and thanksgiving.

When we truly know that Jesus loves us and that He ransoms those we love from death, how can we not be extravagant in our display of love for Jesus? Let's be like Mary who was more concerned to display her love extravagantly for Jesus and less concerned about the criticism of those around her. Will we be willing to worship Jesus with all we have and all that we are, no matter what others are saying?

Father, thank You for this day and the breath of life found through Your Word. Lord, open the floodgates of heaven and rain down Your abundant blessings upon us and our family today. Lord, we confess that way too often our display of love for Jesus is passionless and predictable. Lord, we truly love and appreciate You for Your unbelievable sacrifice and the victory over death that you purchased for us by Your agony. Lord, help us to be less concerned about criticism from others and freer to show our love for You. Lord, may we sit at Your feet and worship You with all that we are and all that we have. Lord, use us to serve You and love others extravagantly today.

Father, we love You. Amen.