Experiencing sound quality issues? Please Click here A Grateful Heart
"Forgiven much, loves much" (Luke 7:47).
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
The anointing of Jesus by a woman is recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 7, and John 12) Matthew and Mark are very similar. There are some differences that we can see among them, that some say that there were two women at two different times anointed Jesus. Mathew and Mark say that she poured the oil on his head. Luke says that she was a sinful woman who had been sinful all her life and who was crying; and when her tears started landing on the feet of Jesus. Then Luke says she poured oil on his feet and she wiped his feet with her hair. Also unique to Luke's version is the inclusion of the Parable of the Two Debtors in the middle of the event. Only John identifies her name as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. "So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him." (John 12:9-11). In fact, the raising of Lazarus was turning point in Jesus’ ministry that ended up in his own death on the cross.
Many believe that this is Mary Magdalene, who was the sinner that Jesus delivered from the demons.
But all the gospels have one thing in common: The Anointing of Jesus by a woman. This event follows the raising of Lazarus from the dead which created a big uproar in the community. Fearing that Jesus would take over the power, the Jewish leaders and the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, decided to kill Jesus. Jesus and his disciples then go to the village of Ephraim (John 11:54), about 15 miles north northeast of Jerusalem. But now Passover was coming when religious Jews would travel to Jerusalem. There was more people than usual in the city.
Mary Anoints Jesus' Feet
While the men are reclining at the meal, Mary -- the one who at another time had "sat at Jesus feet" listening to him teach (Luke 10:39) -- anoints Jesus' feet in an extravagant act of devotion. She did not worry about what others think. When one of the disciples criticized the woman of spending too much.
Some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Sometimes when you concentrate on the details of a problem, you lose sight of the overall picture; in other words you focus on the unimportant, rather than on the important things. You miss the big picture.” Some people don't see the value of things as others. Mary saw the value in honoring Jesus, while Judas was thinking about the money.
Nard is an expensive aromatic oil,(sometimes called "spikenard") that comes from the spikenard plant (Nardostachys jatamansi), native to India's eastern Himalayas, growing from 10,000 to 16,000 feet elevation (3,000 to 5,000 meters). The rhizomes or roots are crushed and distilled into an intensely aromatic, amber-colored essential oil that was a favorite perfume in antiquity. The best spikenard was imported from India in sealed alabaster containers. It was very expensive because of the tedious extraction process as well as the cost of importing it along extensive caravan routes leading west to the Mediterranean. In verse 5, Judas calculates its value as 300 denarii, which, at the wage of about one denarius per day, was nearly one year's wages -- a very expensive perfume indeed! This perfume might maybe a $1000 at that time which is worth $50,000 or 100,000 in today's currency!
Each of us has our own calling and purpose in serving. One is not greater or above the other. Our intention is to glorify God in many ways. Like Judas, there are those who put others down. People feel they have to exalt themselves by putting someone else down. Mary spent a lot of money, about a years worth of wages at that time. (may be 10 or 100 times now). Judas is seen shocked at spending that much money and thinks that is a waste. (John 11 vv4-5). Judas was probably expressing what the crowd was also thinking. Then it says that he was the treasurer and used to steal money from the ministry fund. Many are concerned about the poor not because they care, but because of the financials they are interested in. Such embezzlement shows a heart of self centered ministry rather than care for others.
It is not a choice between giving to God and helping the poor. Jesus is simply explaining that what was done was not a choice between two moral acts, but a necessity, and would no more be criticized in Jesus' day as a modern man purchasing a coffin for a loved one, even though there are poor that could be fed instead. She was anointing him as a sign of his death where they would anoint the body with expensive spices.
As it turned out, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea had the privilege of anointing Jesus' body for burial. Mary had the opportunity to do what she could, "in the moment" and did, otherwise she'd have been too late. The other women who went to the tomb on the third day also carried expensive spices to anoint the body, but they missed their chance because the body was not there. He has already risen from the grave. They missed their chance of anointing him while he was alive. When we have the opportunity and the circumstances, use them immediately.
The House Is Filled with Fragrance
You can imagine the sudden, overpowering fragrance of the perfume filling the room, as Mary broke the seal on the alabaster flask and poured it over Jesus' feet. The whole room was charged with the beautiful aroma. Paul uses this image to elucidate the power of a Christian presence: Just as the fragrance of her act immediately filled the room, so it will eventually fill the world. In Mark's Gospel we read: "I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." (Mark 14:9)
Lately the commercials are out with "Signature Scent." You can’t see it, hear it, or touch it, but scent is powerful. The smell of things like crayons, petunias, and colognes evoke memories that take us to remember about people of events. The fragrance that people wear can be smelled in elevators, I call elevator smell. You know who had been there before. Some celebrities use their scents as signature smells. Paul says, that we are signature smell for Jesus. "Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). “God uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. Through us God diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. “What do people think about God as a result of being around me?” Is my presence in a group, church, committee is giving everyone the aroma of Jesus Christ. Do my presence, my words, my actions evoke the qualities of Jesus like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (Gal 5:22), righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness (1 Tim 6:10)
Mary had performed an act of extravagant worship.
Jesus said, “what she did would be remembered long after her time (Mark 14:9). Like The Wise Men from the East believed in extravagant worship, as well when they brought expensive gifts to the baby Jesus at this birth. "They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." (Matthew 2:11)
David was a strong believer in worship that was extravagant. Araunah the Jebusite was willing to give for free his threshing floor to David for a place to offer a sacrifice (later the site of the temple), but David refused. "I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." (2 Samuel 24:24a). Giving greatly in worship helps destroy greed's hold over us.
Extravagant worship is like giving, our praise, time, money, hearts, lives and whatever opportunities God opens our way. Extravagant worship is giving to the point of sacrificing. Giving, not from what can be spared but giving that may lead to the giver forgoing something. We are all used to give from what we can spare. Giving in worship is when we forego something we love. A willingness to release all we have.
About the widow who cast in two coins into the treasury - Jesus said " 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live o.” (Mark 12:43). Waiting to give when we have more money will never happen, because as we get more, we yearn for more.
Instead of using the time to earn money, it is more rewarding to spend from what you already earned. That is extravagant. True worship comes when you find time to spending time with someone who needs your help and time (Galatians 6:9,10). Extravagant worship is advocating for someone who has been treated unfairly or unjustly, where it might effect your reputation or standing in society (Romans 12:1-2).
When I honestly compare my worship to this example of Mary, I realize I fall short I thank God that He does not judge me in comparison to anyone else. But Mary inspires me to reflect on the giving of my time, my money and my witness.
Mary did not worry about what others thought.
We should not be deterred by what others may think about it when I what I should do and how much to give. It is between me and God. All that I have and all that I am is because of God’s grace. My life is a gift from God, and all that I have is from Him alone.
Many Trusted in Jesus
When the people of faith worship extravagantly, the world will be drawn to Jesus. If we worship poorly and with no heart in it, the world will find no value.
Several years ago, 9 coal miners in Pennsylvania were trapped due to flooding. Breaking through into an older mine, a powerful current of water was released, and the miners ran for their lives. Unable to outrun the rising water, they had to return to the original place where they had broken through into the other mine because it was the highest point. Their noses and mouths slightly above water at times, they tied themselves together, wrote “goodbye notes”, and waited for the inevitable. But as they cried out to God and encouraged one another, good things began to happen. An air vent was created to give them fresh air. A drill team was brought in to make a way of escape. And a wonderful sense of humor buoyed their hopes. As they were lifted out of the hole, each one waved. One of the guys cracked: “Boy, imagine the overtime pay we’re going to get for this!”
As I say this, I am filled with overflowing gratefulness. I thank God for my family, I am grateful for all things: food, shelter, education, church and family. I am thankful for the challenges in life because they have made me stronger in faith. I am grateful to God day by day for salvation through Jesus Christ. I am grateful God is full of grace and love for all, especially through Jesus. I am grateful I am a Christian. I am thankful for this church, the people who are my family in Christ here. I am grateful for the people who planted this church here over a hundred years ago. I am thankful for the people who gave the land, who built this church and here. we are worshiping in a this holy ground that was founded by people we don't even know. We are thankful for them. I thank God for the choir, the leaders of this church, the children, the seniors, the young men and women, and all those come in and out through the door. I am thankful for this country, the liberty and freedom we have to worship God. I can go on an on. “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Writer C. W. Metcalf was working as a hospice volunteer when he met 13-year-old Chuck, who was terminally ill. One day Chuck gave Metcalf half a dozen sheets of paper with writing on both sides and said, "I want you to give this to my mom and dad after I die. It's a list of all the fun we had, all the times we laughed." Metcalf was amazed that this young boy on the verge of death was thinking about the well-being of others. After the boy's death, Metcalf delivered the list to his parents. It listed his first day his mom took him to school, his several teachers, it listed the several birthday celebrations they had for him, it listed his dad who took him to the barber, siblings who played with him, and a lot of friends who liked him. He had been writing this for the last several months while he was in the hospice home. That made Mr Metcalf to start a list of his own and found that he could not finish it as he adds newer items every day, and his list still continues.
As we reflect on this powerful encounter between Jesus, the sinful woman, and the judgmental Pharisee, let us examine our own hearts. Are we expressing our gratitude to the Lord through acts of love and service? Do we fully comprehend the depth of our forgiveness and, in turn, love Jesus with all our hearts? May this passage inspire us to cultivate a spirit of gratefulness, to express our love for Christ extravagantly, and to live out our faith with authenticity and humility. May we, like the forgiven woman, hear Jesus' words ringing in our hearts, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
This is Thanksgiving week, so it is an appropriate time to reflect on the pervasiveness of the life of gratitude that the gospel suggests. Our consideration of a life of gratitude should be exuberant, marked by the joy of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Let there be space for saying thank you to one another and to God. Let the passing of the peace include time to find someone each would like to thank for their words or deeds or presence. Let the buzz of conversation reflect the joy of the fellowship around us.
This is not to say, even here on the threshold of Thanksgiving, that there isn’t room for grief or sadness. Suffering strikes even during the holiday season. Some might be dreading gathering with family, knowing there is pain there. The church is a community of faith that surrounds them with caring and gratitude and peace. Pray for contentment in the midst of difficult circumstances. We don’t ask to accept the brokenness or endure abuse, but note that we see beyond the pain of the moment to a wholeness that is offered. We give thanks for the promises of God, even when we can’t feel them at the moment.
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