Serve In The Land Of The Living
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and thanks for listening to Joni and Friends.
That’s right; this is a place where friends gather. And as we do, I just love encouraging you with special and unusual insights from God’s Word. And today I have an unusual lesson about the story of the woman who broke her precious jar of alabaster perfume to pour it out on Jesus. You know the story, but let me quickly read it from Mark chapter 14; it says, “While [Jesus] was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly.”
Now I love this part, because Jesus says, “Leave her alone…Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you…But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body”–now get this–“beforehand to prepare for my burial.”
Now, I just bet that you, like me, can easily picture yourself as that woman. She just had to show her Savior how much she loved him and, oh, what a sacrifice it was to “waste,” as it were, that expensive ointment on the Lord. In fact, everyone who was with Jesus when it happened, they scolded her, but he commended her. He told his disciples, “She’s done a beautiful thing; she’s anointed my body for burial.” This woman served Jesus; she anointed him. What an honor, what a privilege! Because there were not many others who showered their devotion on Jesus like that.
But here’s the thing; here’s the point; here’s the lesson: just a few days later after Jesus died, at least three women went to the empty tomb to anoint him. They, too, had an expensive gift; a heavy amount of spices to anoint his body. But Jesus was gone. There was no chance for the Lord to recognize their service. It was different, though, wasn’t it?, for the woman in Mark chapter 14. She anointed the Lord before his death. But the other three? They missed their opportunity. The one they loved, the one they wanted to honor was not in that tomb. And that’s the lesson here. Please, friend, let us bless the body of Christ today, right now, in the land of the living. For instance, many Christians save up to give something to others once they die. But that does not accrue any great recognition from Jesus while they’re living. Uh-uh; no. Let’s not miss an opportunity to delight Jesus by encouraging his people, his body, now, in the land of the living. Most likely, you know people, perhaps even in your own family, who have a great need. Why not financially help them now? Why wait until after you’re gone when it really won’t count for eternity. Proverbs 3 says, “Do not withhold good…when it is in your power to act.”
So, take a minute to think about who you can bless today. With either a great or a small financial gift. Don’t wait until it’s too late and you’ve missed the chance. You’ve got the power to act, so do it now. Do good in the land of the living. Serve the body of Jesus now. Your acts of kindness will be told for all of eternity, so don’t miss the chance to anoint, as it were, the body of our Lord and Savior. Thanks for letting me share this great lesson with you today on Joni and Friends.
And one more thing – we here at Joni and Friends would love to pray for you in your troubles. So, share with us your prayer need today at joniradio.org
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