Honoring the Lord

Read Mark 15:3-9

Throughout the Gospel of Mark the disciples try to “protect” Jesus from people who are outside their circle of companions.  They try to prevent people from bringing little children before Jesus (10:13).  They reprimand someone for casting out demons in Jesus’ name because this person is not “officially” his follower (9:38).  They continually push people away from Jesus, people who somehow appear “unworthy” of Jesus’ attention.  Yet Jesus continually draws all people to himself.

We find Jesus in our story today days before his death, fellowshipping with disciples and friends in the house of Simon the Leper.  Suddenly an unnamed woman, presumably a relative of Simon the Leper, approaches Jesus with an alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume.  In a gesture that resembles the anointing of a King, the woman breaks the jar and pours every last drop of the expensive perfume on Jesus’ head.  She lavishly dotes on Jesus, recognizing him as her King and preparing his body with honor for the death that awaits him.

It is an understatement to say that the disciples completely miss the point.  Again they try to “protect” Jesus from unworthy people and scold the woman for her seemingly wasteful actions. How could she do such a thing when so many hungry people could benefit from the perfume she just wasted?  Jesus, however, commends her costly service and lifts her up as an example of faith.  “She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial,” Jesus says (14:8).  “Unworthy” as she may be in the eyes of the disciples, she has done what she could to honor her Lord.  She is our model of faithfulness.

As we approach Good Friday and remember Jesus’ death, I encourage you to consider what lavish thing you can do to honor the Lord.  Perhaps you can give your time to meditate on the Passion narratives in Scripture, or you can spend your Thursday and Friday nights attending one of the worship services here at Union Grove.  Perhaps you can give more of your heart to Jesus, devoting yourself more fully to His Kingdom.  May you find a way to honor the Lord today, and may you be blessed as you offer your love and devotion to the God who draws all people to Himself.

Blessings,

Laura Johnson