How does Matthew 26:12 illustrate the importance of honoring Jesus with our actions? Verse in Focus Matthew 26:12: “When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.” Context Snapshot • Jesus is in Bethany, reclining at Simon the leper’s table (v.6). • Mary of Bethany (cf. John 12:3) breaks open a costly alabaster jar and pours fragrant oil on Jesus’ head and feet. • Disciples, led by Judas (John 12:4–6), call it a waste that could have been sold and given to the poor. • Jesus defends Mary, linking her action to His imminent death and burial. Honoring Jesus Through Costly Devotion • Sacrifice: The perfume equaled almost a year’s wages (Mark 14:5). Honoring Christ sometimes calls for costly, visible devotion. • Timeliness: Mary acted while Jesus was still with her. Obedience that honors Him is prompt, not postponed. • Insight: Mary grasped what even the Twelve struggled to accept—Jesus was going to die. True honor flows from taking Him at His word. • Public witness: Her deed was done openly; Jesus promised it would be told “in memory of her” (v.13). Genuine honor inspires others toward worship. • Alignment with prophecy: Preparing His body for burial affirmed His foretelling of the cross (Matthew 20:18–19), reinforcing the reliability of Scripture. Lessons for Our Actions Today • Every deed can and should honor the Lord (Colossians 3:17). • Motive matters more than appearance. Mary’s heart pleased Jesus; Judas’s false piety did not (John 12:6). • Kingdom priorities override utilitarian calculations. Love for Christ precedes even legitimate social concerns (cf. Luke 10:41–42). • Jesus receives and remembers acts of honor, however small (Matthew 10:42). • Honoring Him often invites misunderstanding or criticism; His approval outweighs human opinion (Galatians 1:10). Supporting Scriptures • 1 Corinthians 10:31 — “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” • Hebrews 13:15–16 — Praise and practical generosity are twin offerings pleasing to God. • John 12:7 — Jesus reiterates Mary’s act was for “the day of My burial,” confirming its prophetic significance. • Psalm 45:7–8 — Royal anointing imagery anticipates Messiah honored with fragrant oils. Practical Ways to Live It Out • Offer your best resources—time, talents, finances—promptly, not merely what remains after personal priorities. • Cultivate a listening heart through Scripture so actions align with Christ’s revealed will. • Embrace public worship and testimony, letting love for Jesus be visible and contagious. • Stand firm when devotion is misunderstood; cling to Christ’s approval. • Look for present opportunities to honor Him—acts of service, generosity, and worship that proclaim His worth before the watching world. |
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