{ Day 159 }

And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” —Matthew 26:6-9, NKJV

I really like the heart of Mary of Bethany. She was not an apostle. She was never famous, never wrote a book, never did a conference, and never said much. Her passionate love was in secret—she just loved the Lord ferociously in secret. She took all she had, her earthly treasure—an alabaster box filled with spikenard, worth thirty thousand dollars—and she lavishly, extravagantly poured it upon the One she loved. All the apostles were mad, not just Judas. In fact, everyone was mad about this. But Jesus ignored their reactions. He silenced their accusations by honoring this adoring worshiper. Jesus knew that she would never write a book or speak at a conference or do anything of worldly significance, but despite her obscurity, no one would ever forget how she moved the heart of Christ with her love. Something magnificent happens when human beings recognize the gold of the pleasure of this romance and choose it instead of the sawdust of this world.

{ PRAYER STARTER }

Lord Jesus, Mary had so little to give You, yet she gave all she had. She lavished her love upon You through her sacrificial gift of perfume. Help me to give You everything I have, everything I am, and everything I know for Your love.

Something superb happens when we fall in love with
Jesus and put our own gold in the dust.