Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Roxy Funchess.
While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.
But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Mark 14:3-9
How would you feel about this woman pouring perfume on Jesus’ head? Would you agree with the chief priests and teachers of the law that she was wasting it? Or would you realize, like Jesus did, that she was showing him love by giving him something precious to her; that she was showing him love by taking time from her life to share what she had with Jesus? This was the best way in her eyes to show her love toward Jesus.
Jesus was always doing great things for people. Here was a chance for him to be the receiver of love. He allowed her to be the giver and therefore she was able to feel the joy of doing something special for someone else.
Do we seize the moment to show our love to others like this woman? Or will we later regret the missed opportunity when our friends or family are gone? Jesus reminds us that it’s important to take time to show our love to others–that it’s OK to not always do the most economical thing because this chance may not be here tomorrow.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help us remember to show love to those around us as they may not be here tomorrow. Remind us to allow others to do things for us so they will feel the joy of giving as well. In your name we pray. Amen.
Daily Devotions 
March 7, 2015 at 6:17 am |
Often it is easier to give than to receive, to be the giver rather than the receiver. But we need to let go, and let others give unto us in return. Everyone of us need to know the pleasure of serving, caring, and nurturing others.
Jesus said in Matthew 25:45 “I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.”
February 20, 2021 at 2:56 am |
rona
Mark 14:3-9 | Daily Devotions