DAILY DEVOTION, Nov. 9, 2021

 
But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why are you bothering her and causing trouble? She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me (Mark 14:6, AMP, see Mark 14:1-9 for the full story).

You know the story. A woman pours out a jar of expensive perfume onto the head of Jesus. Some consider her wasteful. Why not sell the perfume and use the proceeds to help the poor? No doubt the critics are correct. That could have been done. However, it was her perfume to do with as she wished, and Jesus praises her. She has done a good and beautiful thing. Jesus declares that she has anointed His head for burial. How important is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus? It is the very foundation of our faith.

We all possess time, talents, and treasures. When we use them extravagantly for Jesus, we might be criticized. However, when we pour out our love for Jesus in excessive fashion, we are doing a good and beautiful thing. I don’t think we can honor Jesus too much. I think we can honor Him too little!  When we pour out our lives to serve Jesus in an extreme manner, we demonstrate how much we love Him. Yes, we could use our resources on other matters. However, what we do for Jesus is never wasted. What beautiful thing have I done for Jesus lately?

Gracious Father in heaven, help me to see the absolute worthiness of Jesus and the lesser worthiness of everything else. Forgive me when I waste my resources on lesser things.  I want to serve Him extravagantly. I want to be like the woman in Mark 14, pouring out my love for Him in ways that some consider foolish but He considers beautiful. In His name, I pray, Amen.