A Beautiful Thing

Daily Reading: Matthew 26

But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. (Matthew 26.10)

Devotional Thought: Success: It's a Beautiful Thing, is a book by Tony Conza, co-founder of Blimpie Subs.  That's a great title, but what does success look like?

Success, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder, isn't it?  Jesus and his disciples certainly had different ideas about it.  The disciples were indignant when they saw what a certain woman did for Jesus.  Jesus felt differently about it, didn't he?  He said that her worship was "A Beautiful Thing."

Jesus was dining in the home of Simon the leper when this woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume.  As an act of extravagant worship she poured it on his head while he was eating.  There was great indignation around the table at such an extravagant gift.  Jesus was not extravagant.  He lived an austere life and did not lavish riches and honor upon himself.  But in this instance, knowing the heart of this woman and seeing his impending death, he received this extravagant gift with grace and gratitude. 

People will question our motives in worship.  As a matter of fact, we should examine our own motives to ensure that they are pure.  But the fact remains that people will complain about our expressions of love for Jesus.  They do this out of jealousy (they want to be recognized) or guilt (they know that they should be doing more) or greed (they want to gain access to the resources for their own purposes and desire).  Don’t let them deter you!  Give Jesus your uninhibited praise!

Jesus has done a beautiful thing for us.  What beautiful thing will we do for him?

Prayer: Jesus, your death on the cross for my sins was a beautiful thing.  Help me to live my life in extravagant worship, doing a beautiful thing for you in return.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 92:10-15

10 You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me.

11 My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.

12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

13 planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,

15 proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”