PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 14:1-11
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.” (Mark 14:7)
Jesus is not saying that poverty is necessary, or that we shouldn’t care about the poor.
Jesus is challenging the hearts of those who are grumbling about this ‘waste’.
I have sometimes heard people complain about how churches spend money on buildings.
They may be right, there may be churches that do put buildings over blessing others.
But Jesus sees the complainers and asks: are YOU doing anything for the poor?
Am I doing any better for the poor; am I using my own resources well or wastefully?
Jesus sees into this woman’s heart, he sees her deep love and devotion.
Maybe he also senses that her love and devotion extend to others as well.
This may be in contrast to those who were present, who were grumbling against her.
Their indignation and rebuke seem to indicate an ungracious spirit and a lack of love.
Judas, Simon, the religious leaders – who were they loving and serving by their actions?
Jesus looks into the heart, not into our bold statements about ‘the poor’.
Jesus knows whether we love God and others, or whether we’re just putting on a show.
We can bless the poor any time we want to… the question is DO WE WANT TO DO THIS?
PRAYER
Lord, if I WANT to bless the poor, there is nothing stopping me… except my not WANTING it that much. Decrease my WANT to criticize others, and increase my WANT TO bless others.
“She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.” Was that the final thing that triggered Judas Iscariot to give up on Jesus and try to capitalize on betraying Jesus? He heard Jesus again talking about his pending death and now he says this precious ointment prepares his body for burial. To him, it seemed that he wasn’t going to get what he wanted from Jesus – he now sees Jesus as a loser! Yet what she did was prophetic and it is recorded for our benefit. The incident also spoke of contriteness and forgiveness. Lord help us to share the good news about Jesus so that others may also understand what your death on the cross means for our living!
The woman who poured the perfume on Jesus’ head, understood Who Jesus was/is! She loved, adored, and worshipped Him. She gave Him her best!
I watched Joy as a child, learning about Jesus. She called Him – My beautiful Jesus. I envied her simple trust and the joy she had in Him.
Please Jesus; I want to honor You and worship You and bring to You my very best. I want to love You back.
Praises to You.
Head. Hands. Heart.
These three need to be in sync.
What we speak comes from the heart. And our hands do the action.
From the heart come the issues of life and how we live.
As His child, my heart needs to be all for Jesus. The words I speak. The actions I do. Jesus must be first. Others come second. Myself/Yourself comes in third place always. That will give you joy in living for Jesus. It can’t be any other way s a child of the King. Serve Him by serving others.
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be