How Can The Past Empower The Present?
Mark 14:3-9
3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.
6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Matthew 26:6-13
6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
This Sunday’s service can be viewed on our Facebook page @Sunday, May 14, 2023
Remember me, LORD, when you help your people;
include me when you save them. Psalm 106:4
“Remembering” is a powerful life-changing force in our lives that can either take us to the heights of joy or down to the depths of despair. It all depends on what you decide to focus on.
This week we find Jesus saying that a one-time action of genuine love would be remembered and discussed for years. What happened?
Jesus was spending time at the home of a man he had healed from leprosy. In the middle of the meal, a woman came in with one of the most expensive perfumes of that day (it cost a whole year’s wage!) She broke it open and poured it over Jesus’ head. Many of those around the table were angry and upset at the waste where it could have been sold to help feed the poor.
But Jesus saw something different. He saw extraordinary gratefulness and love being poured out in joy by this woman. She was reminding Jesus that he was precious to her as she anointed him in preparation for his death and burial that was closing in on him.
Someone has said, “Service for the Lord is nothing more than the overflow of a heart filled with gratitude for what Jesus has done for us.”
Mark 14:9 states that, “wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”
So today, we remember this extraordinary woman who saw what many others missed. This Sunday we will discuss how the past can empower the present. Take time today to thank the Lord Jesus for his presence in your life and for the people who have shown you His great love through them!
Grateful to be on this journey with you,
Pastor John