What can we learn from the woman's actions about honoring Jesus today? The Moment in Focus “She has done what she could. She has anointed My body beforehand for burial.” (Mark 14:8) What She Actually Did • Brought a costly alabaster jar of pure nard • Broke it open—no intention of retrieving or re-using it • Poured the whole perfume on Jesus’ head (Mark 14:3) • Endured public criticism for “waste” (Mark 14:4-5) • Acted immediately, before Jesus’ arrest, fulfilling His words about burial preparation Why It Mattered to Jesus • Her deed affirmed His impending sacrifice (“for burial”) • It was wholehearted: “done what she could” (v. 8) • It was beautiful to Him (v. 6), worth memorializing (v. 9) Lessons for Honoring Jesus Today 1. Wholehearted Devotion – Give Him our best, not leftovers (Proverbs 3:9; Mark 12:30). – Like the widow’s two mites (Mark 12:41-44), value lies in total surrender, not monetary amount. 2. Seize the Present Opportunity – She acted “beforehand.” Worship delayed can become worship denied (James 4:14). – Today is the day to serve Him (Hebrews 3:13). 3. Hold Nothing Back – Breaking the jar pictures irreversible commitment (Romans 12:1). – We honor Jesus when obedience is costly (2 Samuel 24:24). 4. Accept Misunderstanding for Christ’s Sake – Critics called it waste; Jesus called it beautiful. – Pleasing Him outweighs pleasing onlookers (Galatians 1:10; 1 Peter 4:4). 5. Center on His Sacrifice – Her act pointed to the cross; our acts should point people to the atonement (1 Corinthians 2:2). – The Lord’s Supper likewise keeps the burial and resurrection central (1 Corinthians 11:26). 6. Leave a Lasting Witness – Jesus promised her story would accompany the gospel (Mark 14:9). – Everyday obedience can echo beyond our lifetime (Hebrews 11:4b). Practical Ways to Imitate Her Honor Today • Schedule undistracted time to worship Christ through Scripture reading and song. • Invest significant resources—time, talent, finances—in ministries that exalt His name. • Speak openly of His death and resurrection in daily conversations. • Defend biblical truth even when labeled “extreme” or “wasteful.” • Look for unique, creative acts of love that display His worth before others. In Summary Honoring Jesus, like the woman in Mark 14:8, means recognizing His supreme value, acting decisively and sacrificially, and accepting that His approval outweighs all else. |
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