John 12:3-8
“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”“ John 12:3-8 NIV
Mary is 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 your heart filled with the same love for Jesus that you are willing to do the same? Mary’s display of love was costly. It was extravagant. Judas accused her of excessive devotion to Jesus. Yet to this criticism Jesus responds, “Leave her alone.” He knows that her offering of love comes from a heart that is on fire with love for God. It is a heart that sees the unsurpassed beauty of Christ and cannot help but offer complete devotion in response. In an act of worship, Mary poured her perfume onto Jesus’ feet. She knelt to the ground and washed His feet, ignoring the opinions of others.
Mary gave radically. She gave not knowing if she'd be able to live through the day, but trusting 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, He 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?
May our lives be so immersed in Christ and so devoted to Him, that we reflect His beauty in all we say and all we are. And may we bring to others the life-giving perfume that comes from Him alone.
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. May we be willing today 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 my friend and family. We confess that way too often our display of love for You 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. 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 !
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