Matthew 26.6-13
From the reaction of the disciples, led by Judas Iscariot, you would have thought this was a mindless act by Mary. It was anything but that. She knew exactly what she was doing. That expensive nard perfume stored in the alabaster jar was a prized possession of any lady. It was kept for special occasions and this was a Once in Lifetime one!
Mary was definitely in tune with what was going on Jesus’s life and God’s timing. However the overriding issue here was that of deep love for her LORD. She poured out the best she had for Him.
1. Bethany was the scene of some wonderful miracles.
Simon, the Leper who obviously didn’t have leprosy anymore. Jesus was the reason
Lazarus, the dead man who came back to life.
Mary was eternally grateful for her salvation (she loved to sit at the Master’s Feet).
She had deep affection for Jesus because He had raised her brother Lazarus after he had been in the tomb for 4 days.
Bay Shore/ Islips are no different. We have had some wonderful miracles among us. God has answered many prayers. We will celebrate one of those today at 1pm. I can recall where we were last year at this time in our family. Lucy had debated whether to go to China or not due to Jackson, our grandson’s situation.
People say, "Well I have never seen anyone raised from the dead." In a real sense Jackson was. . He was moved to Mt. Sinai because his liver was not functioning and they were thinking liver transplant. That never had to happen. His liver started working and is fine today.
Two years ago after my dad had that fall down his steps, Dr. Bajwa told our family he wasn’t going to make it. He said his organs will begin to shut down and that he would die. I remember the evening the good doctor came in after my dad had begun to respond and said, "This is God. I didn’t do anything to bring this about. It is God."
We have much- a huge amount of blessings to be thankful for. As we move into the Thanksgiving Season there are dramatic things for you to thank God for and many of life’s every day blessings.
If the line at the grocery store if long we complain, instead of being thankful for all the food we can freely get.
When Lucy left for China Monday night, she brought two suitcases. One was for her, the other for her family. Emma saw the one for the family and said, "Where is Grandma Lucy going to put her clothes?! This is full of food!" She brought things like nuts and Sunkist Raisins and Quaker Oatmeal and dried fruit. We have so much - so very much!
How many time have you ladies said, "I don’t have a thing to wear?" as you stare at a closet full of clothes. I have been places where our hand me downs are treated as gold. We need to open our eyes to our wealth and be thankful.
Mary was grateful and she acted upon the love she had for Jesus for all He done for her and her family. We all ought to do the same!
2. When someone does something special for Jesus, there will always be critics. vs.8-9
Many times the critics are among the church.
Not always in the church- Giant Markets- George Akel... stocking shelves with us.
Back in the days when the stores closed at 9pm and on Sundays and holidays.
Let the LORD handle the critics. He does it perfectly. If you try and handle it you’ll get hurt by the barb but Jesus knows exactly what to do. Mary didn’t say a word through this whole exchange. She let the LORD defend her. We need to let Him handle the critics.
Franklin Graham’s ministry 1993... medical supplies to Boone, NC... foot of the Smokey Mountains... Dr. Aileen Coleman’s message that lunch time chapel meeting:
Anytime you do anything for Jesus that is a little different, a little unusual, you will certainly be criticized. Comments like Mary heard: Why this waste? Couldn’t there be a better way of doing this? Moody’s comment to the lady’s criticism.
As you go out on a limb for Jesus Christ today- someone will definitely criticize.
Do you quit? No! It is hard when the criticism comes from the Body of Christ. But if you do it out of love for Him, He will take care of you and reward you. Obedience to Him, out of love for Him is beautiful.
It was beautiful because it was done out of love. It was costly. It was done spontaneously.
3. Listen to what Jesus is saying.
Forget about what people are thinking and saying.
Keep your eyes on Him and listen to His words. People condemn. Jesus commends.
Keep on serving Him out of love for Him
1 comment:
I'm agreeing to No. 3 that we need to listen what Jesus is saying and we don't care about what other says. We need to keep our eyes to Him and listen to His words because He knows everything that is good for everyone.
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