February 19, 2013 Lent Day 6

Lent Day 6 Jesus is Anointed at Bethany Read John 12:1-8 John 12:3 Then Mary took a whole pint of a very expensive perfume made of pure nard, poured it on Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The sweet smell of the perfume filled the whole house. QUITE a gift…quite an honor. Mary’s attitude has changed a good deal since her disappointment in her Lord. Jesus came to her brother; Jesus came to Mary’s sister Martha and to Mary with the fullness of life. Now it is time to say, “Thank you, Lord.” It is a thank you from the heart. Mary takes an expensive pint of perfume and uses it all to anoint her Lord with honor and worship. In the perfume is her love, and she wants Jesus to know that he is worth far more than any price that is on that bottle of perfume. Judas is the disciple who complains the perfume is wasted. Yes, it could have been used for the poor; it could have been used for Mary’s own household. I doubt they had much money. She could have bought food for her family. Instead she honored Jesus. She now understood Jesus as the source of all life, of all that comes from life and into life. Jesus is the great Provider, the loving giver of himself. How do we model that in our lives? What do we give – our time, our talents, our love, our encouragement – to our family, friends, neighbors, church family? Do we sacrifice some things we want in order to give unto others? Yes, that is resurrection living. Let us worship and honor Jesus, share his resurrection gift, by giving him to others who need his tender care. Pause and Consider: the gift you have for your Lord.