SCRIPTURE: Mark 14:1-11
The religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus, this woman wanted to bless Jesus, Judas wanted to profit by Jesus.
Their actions revealed their hearts, as do ours.
Jesus is not unconcerned about the poor, He knows that people who love Him and God WILL also care for the poor.
He knew that the religious leaders and disciples who grumbled about this woman’s waste did not really care about the poor.
Do I love Jesus like this, do I love God like this, does my love for God and Jesus translate into love for others?
Or am I more like these religious leaders, or like Judas, more concerned about my prestige or position or pocketbook?
Our actions reveal our hearts; God and Jesus know our hearts.
The Pharisees were religious leaders, Judas was Jesus’ disciple, yet they did not truly love God and people.
Jesus celebrates this humble woman as an enduring example of love for God and people… this is what her actions reveal about her!
What do my actions reveal about me, about my heart?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I sense You penetrating beyond my pious words to see whether I truly love You and God and people. Show me what You see in my heart, and help me to love like this woman… with all my heart!
How many times have I looked at what someone else does with their money (government spending, individuals with fancy cars or ‘excessive’ houses) and said if they didn’t spend money on that, they could help so many people? Ouch. But what am I personally doing to help people? That’s what God cares about. I pray that continues to GENTLY open my eyes to what is in my own heart (it’s a vey scary place I’m sure … Can’t handle it all at once), not so that I can feel guilty, but so that I can begin to change!
Observation/Application
Actions speak louder than words. My actions speak so loud that they can’t even hear my words. That also reminds me of a song – “And they will know we are Christians by our love.” To love is to do. This is also the summary of the law – ‘Love the Lord your God with all . . . .’
You/I am a living letter – an epistle – read by all. Our Knowing=Our Loving+Our Doing. Christ Jesus was our example serving all who came His Way and I must do the same. I must serve the Master.
Prayer
Help me this day Lord to serve You with my all for You are my ALL in all. May others see You in me this day.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
Love is patient, love is kind
Never boasts, not full of pride
Always hopes, always trusts
The evidence of Christ in us