Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

Finding Your Place in the Kingdom
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” – Matthew 26:6-13

“Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” – John 12:2-3 (NIV)
,br /> One event…two different accounts…two lessons. Lesson One… Jesus was having a “down moment.” An opportunity to relax before things started getting hectic. He was having dinner at the home of “Simon the Leper.” We know very little about him save this description which leads some to believe that he was one of ten lepers Jesus had healed during His ministry. He could very well be the one who came back to thank Him for saving his life and having Jesus over was his way of thanking Him for that. Somewhere in this time a woman (who very well could have been invited) took a jar of perfume made of pure nard, a very, very expensive plant found only in a couple of places and begins to anoint Jesus’ feet with it. Several in the house, more than likely Judas, began complaining that this was being wasted! That instead of her using it to make Jesus’ feet smell better it could have been sold and the money used for other purposes – but Jesus did not see it that way!
I find it interesting that we always have a “better” way to do things. The bible is very clear on many issues and yet how many times do we choose to ignore it and go our own way. Judas could have cared less about the purpose of this woman’s actions – he was more concerned about what he could have done with the money that this perfume could have brought. Jesus’ response gave Judas, along with everyone else something to really think about.
One of the purposes of “Spikenard” as it is referred to is a “healing” agent – both physically and emotionally!! In another passage we are told that the aroma filled the air…probably lifting everyone’s spirits as well. Our lives are to be like that perfume – lifting people up and helping them during difficult times. That is one lesson Jesus wants us to learn!
Lesson Two…(From Max Lucado): If God has called you to be a Martha, then serve! Remind the rest of us that there is evangelism in feeding the poor and there is worship in nursing the sick.
If God has called you to be a Mary, then worship! Remind the rest of us that we don’t have to be busy to be holy. Urge us with your example to put down our clipboards and megaphones and be quiet in worship.
If God has called you to be a Lazarus, then testify. Remind the rest of us that we, too, have a story to tell. We, too, have neighbors who are lost.
We, too, have died and been resurrected. Each of us has our place at the table.
Except one. There was one at Martha’s house who didn’t find his place. Though he had been near Jesus longer than any of the others, he was furthest in his faith. His name was Judas. He was a thief. When Mary poured the perfume he feigned spirituality. “The perfume could have been sold and given to the poor,” he said. But Jesus knew Judas’s heart, and Jesus defended Mary’s worship. Years later, John, too, knew Judas’s heart, and John explained that Judas was a thief (John 12:6). And all these years he had been dipping his hand in the treasury. The reason he wanted the perfume to be sold and the money put in the treasury was so that he could get his hands on it.
What a sad ending to a beautiful story. But what an appropriate ending. For in every church there are those like Martha who take time to serve. There are those like Mary who take time to worship. There are those like Lazarus who take time to testify.
And there are those like Judas who take, take, take, and never give in return. Are you a Judas? I ask the question carefully, yet honestly. Are you near Christ but far from his heart? Are you at the dinner with a sour soul? Are you always criticizing the gifts of others yet seldom, if ever, giving your own? Are you benefiting from the church while never giving to it? Do others give sacrificially while you give miserly? Are you a Judas?
Do you take, take, take, and never give? If so, you are the Judas in this story.
If you are a Martha, be strengthened. God sees your service.
If you are a Mary, be encouraged. God receives your worship.
If you are a Lazarus, be strong. God honors your conviction.
But if you are a Judas, be warned. God sees your selfishness.
Pastor J. T. Carnell.