In a world where social media, influencers, hot-takes and over-night celebrities take centre stage, we have never had a greater opportunity to be easily noticed but at the same time quickly forgotten.
By leaning in deeper to the remarkable story found in the fourteenth chapter of Mark of the woman who broke a jar of perfume on Jesus’ feet, here are three strategies that we can learn in order to live a life that outlasts ourselves.
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WHAT THE WORLD CALLS WASTEFUL, JESUS CALLS BEAUTIFUL
“While he was reclining, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.
Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.
But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me?”
(Mark.14:3-6)
For us to live a life of legacy, we have to understand at a deeply fundamental level that there is a cost and we will be criticized. For this woman in question, the demand that lay before her was a financial, emotional and relational one, but she pressed through the perceived cost and laid a hold of the prize.
Our modern day society (as well as our very own sinful hearts) long to be noticed for doing something significant in the world’s eyes. But the things Jesus seems to prize go against the logic of the world and are often hidden, seemingly weak and often seemingly wasteful.
When last was your worship costly to you?
In a world where “holding everything together”, will we hear and respond to the costly call to “break” what we hold dear over Jesus?
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DO WHAT YOU CAN, NOT WHAT YOU CAN’T
“She has done what she could…”
(Mark.14:8)
Too often we find ourselves living in a deferred future reality where we are waiting to give of our time, talents and treasures because of a perceived present deficit. “One day when I have more time, more money, more energy, more patience, more space, more strength, more stability, then I will give of myself.”
But according to the eyes and measurement of the only one who truly matters, it seems that Jesus is counting not what we don’t have but rather what we are holding back.
When last did you give out of your poverty rather than out of your apparent abundance?
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DON’T MISS THE MOMENT
“…she has anointed my body for burial ahead of time”
(Mark.14:8)
Often it is said that there are three things you can’t get back: words once they are spoken, time once it has been wasted, a moment once it has been missed. It is clear in this narrative that this woman was able to recognize a significant moment and had the courage to seize it!
“Too often we are waiting for the miracle rather than worshipping the miracle-worker while we wait”
In Luke’s account of this same story, he introduces us to this woman as “a certain sinful woman”. But what is incredible about when our lives and futures are entirely leveraged on Jesus, we see she entered the story with a reputation of immorality, but left with a completely new one.
“I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”
(Mark.14:9)
This sinful woman will be remembered not as a sinful woman, but as a worshipper for eternity!
This is the invitation of Jesus.
“Men work all their days, seeking wealth, seeking fame
But none of heaven will know their name”