OC February 21st

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“‘Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me.’” Mark 14:6 NLT

This is when Jesus and the disciples were in Bethany, making their way towards Jerusalem and Passover. Mary of Bethany takes the expensive jar of perfume and pours it over Jesus’ head. The disciples scold her and thought the act was wasteful, because the value of the perfume was almost a whole years wages. Jesus admonishes the disciples because they could not see the whole picture. This act of Mary was of great value to Jesus. She was anointing Him and preparing Him for burial. This act was the most she could do and was done out of love for Jesus. The earthly value was of little concern to Jesus. 

I think we worry too much of how we can be of use to God - selling perfume, to help fund ministry. Instead of just surrendering to God. Chambers says,

“To be surrendered to God is of more value than our personal holiness. Concern over our personal holiness causes us to focus our eyes on ourselves, and we become overly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, out of fear of offending God. ‘. . . but perfect love casts out fear . . .’ once we are surrendered to God (1 John 4:18). . . . Once we are totally surrendered to God, He will work through us all the time.” 

“Thy will be done.” 

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