Mar 26, 2014

You Smell Like Jesus!


John 12:3 [AMP]"Mary took a pound of ointment of pure liquid nard [a rare perfume] that was very expensive, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume."
What woman does not treasure her perfume and her hair. These are perhaps the most dearly loved possessions a woman can have. Yet, Mary pours out a pound of her most expensive perfume on Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair. People in the room are disgruntled at such a show of wastefulness. It was worth a year's wages you see!
While this did not make sense to the people in the room, it meant so much more to Mary and her Master, Jesus. For her, compared to Jesus, the perfume was like water. For her, Jesus' glory far outweighed the glory of her hair. What Jesus had done for her and her family could not be compared to these base things. She demonstrated unashamedly to this crowd, that her most valuable possessions are of no value when compared to Jesus. An act of great humility and gratitude. When Judas raised his voice against her, "Jesus said, Let her alone. It was [intended] that she should keep it for the time of My preparation for burial. [She has kept it that she might have it for the time of My [a]embalming.]" (John 12:7 [AMP]) No one else in the room could appreciate this, but Jesus knew Mary's heart and He received it wholeheartedly.
Likewise, in our lives, when we bring our most expensive offerings to worship Jesus, it may not make sense to the people around us. They would perhaps have us use our talents, our gifts on another recognizable noble cause. But Jesus approves that one act, that moves our heart in obedience to God's will and intentions. Notice what Jesus said about Mary's act - "it was intended". It is intended in God's grand plan, that you do the outrageous acts of worship for Jesus.  It will not make sense to people that you would walk away from a lucrative deal, a great fortune, a stage performance to serve in a place of humility, but in God's plan there is greater glory.
Now imagine this with me. As Mary worshiped Jesus with perfume, the fragrance filled her house. Later, when Mary would follow Jesus into Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover, people would turn around and say to her - "Hey! You smell like Jesus!" Yes, your act of worship, that God has intended for you since the beginning of time, has the power to fill your home with fragrance, to anoint your head with scent and become an aroma pleasing to God.

3 comments:

Wanda said...

These lines here really speaks to me.."Likewise, in our lives, when we bring our most expensive offerings to worship Jesus, it may not make sense to the people around us. They would perhaps have us use our talents, our gifts on another recognizable noble cause." Oh how true. There will always be some way that seems more profitable to spend our time, talents, and treasure than in service to Jesus.

Wanda said...

May the sweet aroma of Christ fill your home and week.

Karuna said...

Thank you Wanda! BTW I visit your blog often to get inspiration :) You are precious!

 
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