If you haven't read the story of the maiden from Bethany, Mary, and her "taboo" act of love, you should check it out. Back in the day, not only were women not supposed to be a part of the gathering with men, they were also to never let their hair down in public. The jar of perfume that she poured on Jesus' feet, was no ordinary perfume. It was worth nearly a year's wages. It was also considered a big part, if not all, of her dowry that would secure her to married. It's easy to look at this story as just a woman who came and poured some perfume around, got the room smelling good, and just wanted to create a little attention from the men in the room. But, when you take into consideration the what that jar of perfume meant to her, it takes on a whole different meaning, a lot deeper than what's on the surface. Mary gave up her significance. She gave up her past and every penny earned. She gave up her future. She gave up her reputation as a "lady" and took her hair down to wipe up the perfume.
I'm sure Mary stood at an invisible crossroad as she stood in the corner of the room. "To give my all in front of these men, or shrink back in fear of judgement?" Shaking, nervous, heart racing as she took that long walk across the room to sit in front of her Savior. The eyes of the disciples burning holes through her. The whispers around the room, judging her undignified actions. I can see Mary holding that jar, focusing on the eyes of Jesus as she walked. Knowing that when she got to him, he would know her heart. He would see her sacrifice. He would change her life. When she finally made it to Jesus, she was completely humbled, stripped of herself, offering everything she had and everything she was.
Seems a bit ridiculous, huh? In reality, God asks us to do the same. Maybe not in the same way, after all we live in different times. It wouldn't cost us much to go out and buy some perfume and break the jar in His presence. But, God expects us to sacrifice some things in our lives. We will one day stand at the crossroad. One road will be labeled "to know Christ," the other will be labeled "to experience Christ." And there is a difference. One that will affect your life. One that will turn your heart of self into a heart of sacrificial love. One that will cause you to abandon all and take that long walk across the room to meet Jesus. God wants us to give our all, not because he NEEDS our attention. But, he knows if following him doesn't cost us something, it won't mean anything in the long run. You will eventually come to that crossroads of "all or nothing." And if you have, and decided to take the wrong road, there's a savior waiting to meet you in the middle and guide you back to the crossroads.
"Until we determine whom we will serve, we run the risk of developing a Judas heart instead of a heart of sacrificial love. For whenever our interests conflict with His interests, we'll be tempted to sell off Christ as a slave to the highest bidder, rather than spend our all to anoint His feet."
No comments:
Post a Comment