What Will You Offer?

In Matthew 26:2, Jesus announces "You know that after two day the Passover is coming, and the Son of man is to be handed over for crucifixion." NIV

But it seems as if His words fall on deaf ears. We see no reaction from the disciples; it's as if they're thinking, "Hmmmm. I wonder what Jesus is talking about now? He's always talking in riddles. Surely, He doesn't really mean He's going to be crucified." I wonder what clouded their mind; why didn't they heed more attention? But, there was one who listened...Mary of Bethany. I love her story.

Matthew 26:6-13, "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." NIV

Mary heard Jesus' words and took them at face value; "the Son of man is to be handed over for crucifixion." You can almost hear her thoughts..."What can I do? How can I show Him how much I love Him? What can I offer Him?"...A rabbit trail of ideas leading her to the final thought of..."My perfume...I will pour out my alabaster jar of perfume."

Her tender sacrifice ministered to Jesus...an act of kindness before His final battle. He knew what lay ahead. Mary gave everything she had. As a woman, she laid her hope of the future on the line and poured it out over Jesus. The perfume was her security...her hope of survival. As a woman, she has no way to support herself. Her alabaster jar of perfume would have supported her and provided...but Mary of Bethany's love for Jesus meant more than her personal comfort and security. Her act of love demonstrated that her trust was not in what she possessed...Her hope was in Jesus. Her confidence was in Him. He meant everything. She knew that He alone secured her future. So, no cost would be too great.

When the disciples scoffed and ridiculed...Jesus saw her faith and devotion. He defender her act of love; and as promised, her display of love would be remembered forever.

I love Mary's story because she puts it all out their on the line. She doesn't hold anything back. Irregardless of the opinions of others, she loves Jesus extravagantly.

Her story moves me to love Him more passionately. I want to pour out my offering, my life, my everything, for Him. I don't want to worry about my security, my future; I want to abandon it all for the sake of loving Him. I want my life to be broken and spilled out for His glory.

Today, I encourage you to love Him passionately. Don't hold anything back. Ask yourself, like Mary of Bethany, "How can I show Him how much I love Him?"


Prayer: Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for our hope of salvation. Thank You Jesus for dying for us, for enduring the cross. Thank You God for forgiveness. Help us to honor You. We love You Lord, Amen.