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December 12 And while He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. For the poor you always have with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could, she has anointed My body before hand for the burial. And truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, that also which this woman has done shall be spoken of in memory of her.” Mark 14:3-9. This is another example of how our fleshly wisdom is so limited. It also reveals the hardness of our hearts when we do not love Jesus. My friends, nothing is wasted when it is spent upon Jesus. The world may criticize us and regard our efforts as a waste, but when we give to Him we are acknowledging that all things were created for Him and in Him. Those who criticized did not really have the best interest for the poor; it is likely they were fantasizing about selling the perfume for their own gain. This woman, as Jesus said, will always be remembered as the only one to anoint Jesus before His crucifixion and burial. Have you ‘wasted’ yourself on Jesus? There is no better work that you could do. Regardless of how others may view us, we are to love Him beyond any standard that the world could devise. Our careers, our education, and our very way of life are intended to serve Him. Thank You Father for this story. We can learn so much from it, and we will not be concerned by the way the world views our love for You. Your love and grace protect us from all harm. Amen. |
