The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Mark 14:3-9,
"While he [Jesus] was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as 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. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, 'Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.' And they rebuked her harshly. 'Leave her alone,' said Jesus. 'Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 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'"
Here in this brief account is a story of a woman, Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus, who "did what she could". Apparently unknown to those he was eating with she performed an act of kindness to the Lord in light of his coming sacrificial death. Although something that would be recorded and spoken of for all generations to come she was criticized by others present (John cites Judas Iscariot).
In a symbolic act, and one that was as costly as a year's wages, she acknowledged the imminent death of Jesus Christ by anointing him with burial perfume. Others were told by Jesus of his death and they seemed to be slow on the uptake. We have no indication that even his inner circle of Peter, James and John were anticipating what Mary was – at least not at her level of anticipation. How is it Mary had an anticipation that led her to act in a way the others didn't?
Thoughts of this have brought to my remembrance that the Lord has a relationship with each of us individually. Although the Lord had an "inner circle" he still had one-on-one relationships with others while here. All of us can know the Lord intimately, can develop an appreciation for him individually which does not require the involvement of any others. I'm not saying there is not a place for corporate worship and the need we all have for encouraging one another through fellowship, but I am saying that no one is required to go through anyone else to draw close to the Lord. As a result, you may recognize things of the Lord he has not revealed to me and vice versa. My relationship with the Lord does not depend on anyone else and neither does yours. No need for a "leader", no need for an "official" of the church for me to know things of the Lord. Just like Mary seemed to know things the twelve failed to initially have appreciation for, we all may become aware of some things before our leaders do. That is not to cast any shadow on them as they may and probably know things I don't. We each pursue the Lord as individuals and it may just surprise some of us as to who he reveals things to among us, who he enlightens in his various ways.
I really love this about the Lord. None of us have a monopoly on him.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"While he [Jesus] was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as 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. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, 'Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.' And they rebuked her harshly. 'Leave her alone,' said Jesus. 'Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 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'"
Here in this brief account is a story of a woman, Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus, who "did what she could". Apparently unknown to those he was eating with she performed an act of kindness to the Lord in light of his coming sacrificial death. Although something that would be recorded and spoken of for all generations to come she was criticized by others present (John cites Judas Iscariot).
In a symbolic act, and one that was as costly as a year's wages, she acknowledged the imminent death of Jesus Christ by anointing him with burial perfume. Others were told by Jesus of his death and they seemed to be slow on the uptake. We have no indication that even his inner circle of Peter, James and John were anticipating what Mary was – at least not at her level of anticipation. How is it Mary had an anticipation that led her to act in a way the others didn't?
Thoughts of this have brought to my remembrance that the Lord has a relationship with each of us individually. Although the Lord had an "inner circle" he still had one-on-one relationships with others while here. All of us can know the Lord intimately, can develop an appreciation for him individually which does not require the involvement of any others. I'm not saying there is not a place for corporate worship and the need we all have for encouraging one another through fellowship, but I am saying that no one is required to go through anyone else to draw close to the Lord. As a result, you may recognize things of the Lord he has not revealed to me and vice versa. My relationship with the Lord does not depend on anyone else and neither does yours. No need for a "leader", no need for an "official" of the church for me to know things of the Lord. Just like Mary seemed to know things the twelve failed to initially have appreciation for, we all may become aware of some things before our leaders do. That is not to cast any shadow on them as they may and probably know things I don't. We each pursue the Lord as individuals and it may just surprise some of us as to who he reveals things to among us, who he enlightens in his various ways.
I really love this about the Lord. None of us have a monopoly on him.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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