Daily Reading: Mark 14
While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head… Wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her. (Mark 14.3, 9)
Devotional Thought: When is worship overdone? In Mark 14, we read an account of worship that many considered over the top. A woman brought an Alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ head. A whole jar! At one time! And it was worth more than a year’s wages. It may have represented her life’s savings.
Think about it. In one act she expressed a love and devotion to Jesus that defied logic. It certainly defied the logic of those present and watching. The odor of that perfume was strong and lasting. It was likely the kind of essence used in burial – to mask the strong odors of decay. And though it filled the whole house, it would eventually (in a day or two in a well-ventilated house) dissipate and be gone. A year’s worth of wages. 300 days of work. Poured out. Gone.
It does seem as though she could have made a more sensible investment, doesn’t it? But Jesus thought differently. He knew that this act of love was in preparation for his burial and in anticipation of the resurrection. And from her perspective, what could or should be done for the One who had saved her life? And, the act was not wasted on just a few in one place. It has been told and retold countless times across 2000 years, bringing to expression that same love in the hearts of countless worshipers.
Do you have that kind of lavish love for Jesus? Would you risk ridicule to praise him? Has he changed your life so completely that you can’t hold back your expressions of love? Is it fresh today?
Prayer: My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine. For thee all the follies of sin I resign. My gracious Redeemer, my Savior are thou! If ever I loved thee, my Jesus 'tis now! Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 9.1-6
1 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence.
4 For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.
5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.
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