Photo credits : Jamesjacksonblog.
It was on a cool day as Jesus sat to lunch in the house of Simon the leper. As he ate, there came a woman. The eyes of his disciples were probably glued on her. “What’s she here for?” they might have wondered.
Not minding the peering faces and questioning looks, she stooped close to Jesus, reached for the alabaster box in her pouch, opened it and emptied its content on Jesus’ feet. This action aroused murmurs from his disciples. Ignoring their reactions, she further wiped the oil off Jesus’ feet with her hair.
Those disciples couldn’t contain their anger at what she did as various questions flooded their minds.What has this woman done? Is she in her right senses? Didn’t she know the cost of what she had just wasted? Who is this woman by the way?
One of them blurted out in fury,“TO WHAT PURPOSE IS THIS WASTE!? This ointment could be sold for more and given to the poor!!!”
…..
Above was a scenario in the scriptures, Matt. 26:6–13.
The innocent woman thought it very good to perform an exquisite obeisance to the Saviour. The expensive oil she got indicated her deepest regards and value for Jesus Christ.
ÀHer pouring of the ointment on his feet showed her honour for Jesus and also demonstrated Christ’s superiority over costly items of this world.
Her humility was expressed in the wiping of his feet with her hair.
That was a great sacrifice rendered by the woman, but some people had a problem with it.
Those people who throw oblations to God like they’ll do to their fellow humans; those that’ll reserve the cheap and almost spoilt materials for sacrifice like Cain; those that cannot trade their conveniences to honor God; They only make up the numbers of the multitude of Jesus’ disciples. As long as they’ve gotten tagged with that title, nothing else mattered.
These set of people revolted against this woman’s deeds. They couldn’t offer that kind of sacrifice in the first place, so they attempted to reprimand her, however, Jesus silenced them with his response.
God deserves the best of our best, which is still not sufficient on its own
Do we not have similar situations among contemporary Christians? When you devote a big chunk of your time to seek God’s face, some would attempt to cajole you and make you look foolish.When you render a heart-rending service to God, some might tag you proud or a “show off.” When you want to give a stupendous gift for the advancement of the kingdom project, you might encounter some bottle necks who would make you see “better things” you should do with your gift instead of pouring it on Jesus’ feet.
When you live out the decent and humble nature of Jesus, some would tag you a boring fellow. These days, there are clichés like “Holy Mary,” “Sister/Brother to Jesus Christ,” and many more used to debase sincere believers.To make matters worse, these detractors also profess to be Christians themselves!
We are in a world where many strive to dwindle the fire of fervency in the hearts of believers by making them look inferior and “foolish.” They make it seem like you are giving God too much. Their aim is to see you cower from your fervent state and join them in their confused state.
Despite all their taunts, Favoured of God, I want to emphasize that nothing is too much to offer God.
If God, in His love for us, gave His ONLY-BEGOTTEN Son to save us, tell me, what can we offer to compensate for this sacrifice?
Nothing!
We can never pay God enough for what He has paid for us. God deserves the best of our best, which is still not sufficient on its own. If all our time, talents and resources were compiled as a sacrifice to God, they would never be enough.
In this light, let us shun all mockers and give God our best without reservation. We shouldn’t consider what people would think when we go all out for God. Our lives belong to Him in the first place; we must render them wholeheartedly.
Note that everyone has the liberty to think, but we are not subject to their thoughts.
God deserves more. Therefore, nothing is too much to offer Him.
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