Treasure Rightly
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7a 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.
8When 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."
10Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
Tommy's Thoughts:
*"Imagine we are attending a funeral service in a church. As the service begins, friends of the deceased take their turns trying to say something nice, to honor and to express feelings of love and appreciation for the deceased; there’s a family member, someone from the office, and a best friend.
Suddenly, we realize it’s our own funeral.
What would we like each of these speakers to say about us, our character and our lives? What kind of son, daughter, brother or sister would we like their words to reflect? What kind of working associate? What kind of friend?"
*Credit: thought suggested by Stephen Covey
By living our everyday lives with the end in mind, we will change our priorities to seek things that are more important, purposeful and eternal. We begin emphasizes on things like bearing fruits in our lives, to serve and touches the lives of others, to be more aware of those in needs around us, to pay more attention to relationship than material gains.
Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me that at times I’ve overlooked and ignored the needs of others, while selfishly focused on my personal gain. Teach me to change this by being aware and treating daily circumstances, either big or small, as opportunities to be the salt and light of the world. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Bee's Thoughts:
The disciples of Christ didn't see how valuable He is while He was still with them. They felt it a waste to pour the perfume on Him. Yet Jesus commented that "She has done a beautiful thing to me" (v10). She saw His value and worth. She gave what was important to her to Him.
Similarly, very often we don't treasure someone when he/she is with us till he/she is gone. We can't see the value of the person and take him/her for granted. Sometimes there's no return once that person is gone.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that You are worthy of me in every way. Even if I have to be a fool to the world because of You, it is still worth it. Similarly, I pray that I will learn to treasure those who are clsoe to me and not take them for granted, even those they may drift away from me. I pray that You will be with them and bless them always.
In Jesus' mane I pray. Amen.
