THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 14:1-5
“She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.” (Mark 14:3)
The religious leaders are planning to sacrifice Jesus to serve themselves.
In contrast, this woman is prepared to sacrifice herself to serve Jesus.
They are both motivated by love… but love for who, love for what?
We all do what we do because of love, love for something or love for someone.
We were designed to love God and to love people – God’s law in a nutshell.
Love is still our motivating force, but now we are driven by self-love first.
How to help ourselves, serve ourselves, advance ourselves, bless ourselves, etc.
This love is bondage, because it ends up destroying everything and everyone around us.
But what about the disciples’ concern for the poor, wasn’t this good?
Yes, their concern is good, but it is not opposed to her sacrifice for Jesus.
Love for Jesus – God with us – is an overflowing love, that will extend to the poor too.
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” (1 John 3:17)
Today’s reading is a challenge to me, to whether I truly love God and Jesus like this?
Am I breaking my heart, my life, for Jesus, honouring Him with my sacrifice?
Am I dedicating myself to the one I love, and to the ones He loves?
Or am I looking out for myself, dedicated to love of me, myself and I?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You love me sacrificially. You gave Yourself for me, so that I might give myself for You. May Your love overflow in me and through me, so that You – and the poor – are blessed!