March 1, Mark 14

KEY VERSE:

"She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

(Mark 14:8-9)

CENTRAL TRUTH:

True worship comes from a heart of gratitude and a true recognition of the depth of our need for the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

LAVISH LOVE

"She did what she could." Wow! I love that. In this room full of pious, proper religious leaders, this woman (who would have no status in these times or in this place) enters and goes directly to Jesus, breaks open an expensive bottle of perfume (possibly her life savings' worth), and pours it on Jesus' head. We know from John's account of the same incident that she goes on to pour it on Jesus' feet and wipe His feet with her hair! Can you imagine the scene?

"Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, 'Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor,' And they rebuked her harshly." (Mark 14:4-5) The religious leaders begin to judge her and question her motives for the lavish expression of love to Jesus.

Yet, she doesn't pay them any attention. Her focus is completely on the Messiah, her Savior, her Jesus. She knows what the religious leaders had not yet grasped. This Jesus was her Redeemer. He was the reason that she could be free, could be forgiven, His grace, His love had saved her! From the depth of her gratitude comes this expression of true worship. What a freeing experience!

So, my question would be: Are you like the religious leaders that were so full of their own "goodness," good works, and pride that you've forgotten your absolute need for a Savior? or Are you like the woman who loved lavishly on her Savior, no matter who was watching?

The cool part is Jesus' response where He says that "whenever the Gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told . . . ." (Mark 14:9) He understood her love and devotion. "She did what she could." So, no more excuses about what you can't do. Do what you can. Reach out to that neighbor, write that letter, sing that song loud from the depths of your heart, dance before the Lord, walk to the beat of a different drummer, love that unlovely person, strive for the applause of ONE, not the world, and fall on your face in gratitude for His grace in your life (have you ever done that?). Do what you can, right where you are. Love lavishly and freely.