"And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, 'Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.' And they scolded her. But Jesus said, 'Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.'" Mark 14:3-9
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, welcome back to "A Word from the Vine." I'm Pastor Loren Christensen of Danish Countryside Chapel. As we gather today, let us open our hearts to the Word of God and the timeless truths it reveals to us. In our passage from the Gospel of Mark, we encounter a moment of profound significance—a moment that teaches us about the beauty of sacrificial love and wholehearted devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Imagine the scene: Jesus reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper, surrounded by His disciples and other guests. Suddenly, a woman enters, carrying an alabaster flask of costly ointment. Without hesitation, she breaks the flask and pours its contents over Jesus' head—a gesture of extravagant love and adoration.
At first, some onlookers are perplexed by the woman's actions. They question the apparent waste of such expensive ointment, suggesting it could have been sold for a substantial sum and the proceeds given to the poor. Yet, Jesus responds with compassion and insight, rebuking their criticism and commending the woman for her beautiful act of worship.
What can we learn from this touching encounter? Firstly, we are reminded of the value of sacrificial love. Like the woman with the alabaster flask, we are called to give our best to Jesus, holding nothing back. Our worship, our devotion, and our service should reflect the depth of our love for Him, even when it may seem extravagant or misunderstood by others.
Secondly, we are challenged to examine our hearts and motives. Are we willing to pour out our lives for Jesus, regardless of the cost or the opinions of those around us? Do we prioritize our relationship with Him above all else, offering Him the best of ourselves in every aspect of our lives?
As we meditate on this powerful story, let us be inspired by the woman's example of wholehearted devotion. Let us seek to emulate her sacrificial love, pouring out our best for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. May we never hesitate to express our love for Jesus in tangible ways, knowing that He alone is worthy of our highest praise and adoration.
Thanks for joining me today. And now, let us bow our heads in silent prayer, asking the Lord to fill us with a spirit of sacrificial love and devotion, that we may honor Him with our lives and be counted among those who are remembered for their faithfulness throughout eternity.
תגובות