The Aroma of Worship

John 12:3-8 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

For anyone who encounters
 the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, there is a desire for deep worship created. Like Mary, it draws us to His feet, to sit before the King, and share our heart of gratitude for all that He has done. It was her brother Lazarus who Christ raised from the dead and It was Jesus who conquered the grave for you and I. We were once dead in our sin, but now through Jesus Christ, we are free for all eternity.

For a moment Let's consider her act of love. She took the spikenard an amber-colored essential oil derived from a flowering plant of the valerian family which grows in the Himalayas of Nepal, China, and India. Today, the idea of this special oil's travel to you and I don't seem like much, but In Mary's day, it was not a gift to be wasted. All commentaries and research that I find say that its value was that of a Years Wage. Wow, can you imagine? Lets for a moment stop, close our eyes and picture our year's income. Most of us struggle at times with obedient giving, but to write that check, a years wage, puts things in a whole different perspective. Judas had only love for himself and his own selfish gain. Mary had encountered the unselfish love and resurrection power of Jesus. It's that love that compels us to surrender. It's that love that causes one to be willing to give it all away and follow Jesus.  I pray today that we too will return to His feet and thank Him for all that He has given. His gift of Salvation is priceless. We can not earn it, but at His feet, we can receive it.

Days Like Today

Today, like many days in the ministry, was quite busy. There were planning sessions mixed with vision and adjustments, along with fellowship over lunch with two other Pastors who serve in our area. We shared stories of our successes, experiences, and yes even perceived failures. It was a day of accomplishments that has ended with a strong sense of gratitude. My wife and I made a trip to Piedmont Hospital for a visit with a twenty-two-year-old young woman who should be officially added to the liver transplant list tomorrow. I was moved by her tenacity, her smile and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Though her skin may have a touch of jaundice, and her eyes appear weary from the pain of infection that has attacked her body, she smiles and presses on. She reminded me that we are never alone. In all our trial and tribulations, just as in our best days, Jesus is always with us. Throughout all these years of serving the Lord, I have found there will be days that end great, but there will be plenty that will not. Is God weak? Does He not care about our struggles? James said,

James 1:2-4 TLB2 Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, 3 for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.

It is days like today that remind me of what true success is. Trusting Jesus Christ through each season of life is a priceless opportunity. There will be times that we will feel as if we are calling from the roadside like blind Bartimaeus or pressing through the crowd to touch just the hymn of His garment, as the lady with the issue of blood. There will come seasons of trusting His promise, like that of the widow woman who fed the prophet first. If I could encourage you in something, It would be this, Know that God hears, sees and cares about what you are facing. He will meet your need if you will just trust Him.

Matthew 6:33

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?