“While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Mark 14:3-9

“Mark moves us from a scene of some of the worst of human motivations against Jesus (Mark 14:1-2) to this scene — one of the most precious stories of love and appreciation for Jesus we find in the Gospels. This woman’s expensive sacrifice prepares both Jesus and us for his sacrifice which lies ahead.” (heartlight.org commentary)

If we want to pour something out entirely, there is no quicker way to do it than to break the item open entirely. If you have a bottle of anything, to pop open the top means you can pour it out, but in a controlled fashion. But, if you break it open, it will pour out, and there is no stopping the flow. In the same way, a lot of people want to give up their life to G-d, but usually only in a “controlled” fashion. They pour out a little here, and a little there, thinking they are giving in a manner that many will “see the good works that glorify our Father in heaven”. (Matthew 5:16)

This is not why Mary is remembered — at least according to many — and I agree. Mary did not just pour out a small amount over Jesus’ head, she shattered it (not over Jesus’ head) but shattered it in a manner that she could then pour it all on Jesus. She held nothing back, and because the ointment was so expensive, her deed is doubly blessed — she gave an expensive gift — she held nothing back.

When we give ourselves to G-d, we are giving an expensive gift — because each person is priceless. Dare we give G-d only a little here, and a little there? Or, should be break ourselves open and pour ourselves out to G-d? It is our decision….

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, I want to give all to you, all of myself, all of my attention, all of my possessions, but I hold so much back. May I learn to allow my life to be a fragrant sacrifice of praise to you. Amen.

Pastor Dave

“Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may become co-workers with the truth.” 3 John 1:8

“Every man that is Christ’s companion is thereby bound to be a worker with the incarnate Truth. He needs our help. True, he finds all the capital, but we are His partners, His representatives and agents here on earth, as He has taught us in more than one parable. The pound or the talent is His; it is given to me, but it is left with me to determine whether it shall increase and fructify or not. On the Cross He said, ‘It is finished,’ but all through the ages He is working, and all through the ages His mightiest means of working is through the men by whom He works. The Lord works with them, and they work with the Lord. They are His tools; He makes them, but He cannot do His work without them. And notwithstanding the Cross, notwithstanding the adequate powers for the regeneration of humanity, and the salvation of individuals, which lie in that message of the Gospel, the co-operation of the Church is needed if the world is to be saved.” (biblehub.com; commentary on 3 John 1:8)

Co-workers. We have them at our places of employment, and sometimes we are thrilled with the people we call “co-workers.” Other times we complain and complain about our “co-workers” because they do not fit our ideas of work, cooperation, or enthusiasm. But having co-workers does not stop at our places of employment. We also have “co-workers” in the church (our places of worship), and in the Church (meaning the Church Universal). Our “co-workers” in the gospel will be our friends at church, and also the ones we just cannot stand to be around. They will be the ones we share bible study and ministries with, and others will be the people with whom we sit on church council and find them to be exhausting to be around. And yet, we are “co-workers” in the gospel of Jesus, and these volunteers sometimes have more power than our co-employees in the day to day operations of the church.

When we are “co-workers” in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we need to work very hard at limiting our need for power and influence. The human quest and need for power and influence will always squelch the power of the gospel — if not immediately, it will over time. We damage and limit the work of the gospel when we place our own individual needs above the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, we are co-workers — not self-employed — but part of a team — ship-mates together fighting the storms of life. Help me live with Jesus as my captain and Lord. Amen.

Pastor Dave