AM I GIVING MY BEST TO THE LORD?

MARK 14:6-9: “But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: Am I giving my best to the Lord? This is the question that floods my heart as I read the account of Mary anointing Jesus with her costly perfume.

The account of Mary anointing Jesus is placed in juxtaposition with the plans of Judas to betray Jesus. One comes to Jesus in a spirit of humility and worship. The other plots how he may benefit from his relationship with Jesus. In John’s Gospel, we learn that it is Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus who comes in the spirit of worship, and Judas who objects strongly to her display of worship.

Mary is the one who sat at Jesus’ feet while her sister Martha was the one who was preoccupied with activity and business missing what Jesus called – “the good part.” Judas was the disciple who carried the money box and was looking for how his relationship with Jesus would benefit him financially and enhance his status. 

The event that takes place before the final days of Jesus’ life reveals the hearts of both people and it challenges our hearts. Am I choosing the good part? Is my worship motivated by my sincere love for Jesus? Or, am I following Jesus for what He can do for me? Am I seeking His hand rather than His heart? 

Am I giving my best to Jesus?

The oil that Mary anointed Jesus with was probably one of her greatest and most valued possessions. Mary did not anoint Jesus to impress Him. She did not anoint Jesus to impress His disciples. Mary anointed Jesus because she understood what the disciples failed to understand. 

Mary anointed Jesus out of worship for the great sacrifice He was about to make!

Imagine how you would feel if someone saved your life. You would feel a sense of love, thankfulness, and devotion towards this person that exceeded even life itself. Yet, this is exactly what Jesus Christ has done for each one of us. Mary looked to the cross and in worship gave her best to Jesus. She understood the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice and love and offered her all in worship to Him.

How do I respond when I look at the cross? Is the cross just a symbol of my faith or is it the focal point of my worship? We do not worship the wooden cross but the one who gave His all on this cross. We understand the depth of His sacrifice when He gave His all so that we could be restored in relationship with the Father. 

He gave up everything…so we could have everything!

What can I give Him in return? I can only give Him my heart. The oil that Mary poured out upon Jesus was a symbol of her complete worship. It was not the cost of the oil that touched Jesus. It was the genuineness of Mary’s understanding and worship that touched His heart. Jesus was going to the cross to give His best for us. Mary was coming to Jesus to give her best to Him.

And, so Jesus proclaims,

“Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

The Gospel calls us to the cross. The cross calls us to Jesus. Jesus calls us to a life of surrender and worship. Lord, help me to be like Mary.

Help me to give You my BEST.

Help me give you ALL of my heart!

In Jesus’ Name!