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Mark 14:1-11 (NIV)
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
14 Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.” 3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. 6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
What beautiful thing (verse 8) would you like to do for Jesus that some would consider wasteful?
Most Holy God, what a beautiful example of obedience, adoration, and sacrifice to You. Mary demonstrated her devotion through a self-giving special gift because You were very precious to her. She knew that she was a sinner and her only hope for forgiveness and salvation was Jesus. Lord, You are precious to me, but I hesitate to be radical in the demonstration of my devotion to You. Help me to let down my guard and to openly and publicly honor You with my life above all else. Even in this culture where outwardly expressing love for You is considered silly, let me stand strong, ignore the critics and follow through on what You tell me to do. I love You with all my heart and want to shower You with my love through my obedient actions. Lord let my love for You overflow into my love for others. Allow generosity to flow and leave a testimony of my extravagant love for You as recognizable as the scent of Mary’s perfume was on Jesus’ head and clothing. Your love for me is my only hope for forgiveness and salvation and worth more than anything on this earth. Amen