Sunday, March 21, 2010

PRECIOUS THINGS...

SCRIPTURE

John 12:1-8 (NRSV)

Mary anoints Jesus for his burial

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."


DEVOTION

Today I honor our sister Mary for understanding that our relationship with Jesus is the most precious "thing" a person can possess.

Although she could have kept her costly perfume for herself, or sold it and given the money to the poor, she chose to pour it out on Jesus as a physical demonstration of her love and devotion toward him.

All of us possess precious gifts of time, talent, and treasure and it is up to us how we choose to share them.

Jesus is no longer with us upon the earth, but he did tell us that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for him!

I love Jesus' reminder that we will always have the poor (and poor in spirit) to attend to, love, and serve. We can pour out our most precious and God-given gifts into the lives of those who most need Jesus! In doing so, we give that which is most precious to us, to Jesus, and to His Kingdom of Love.

What is it that you have been hoarding away? Will you offer it freely to Jesus today?

If so, let us pray:

Holy One, thank you for granting me the gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Thank you that these gifts are precious, but not as precious as you! Please forgive me for those times that I have failed to offer you that which is most precious to me and please fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can share freely with others. You have been most generous to me; please help me to be equally generous with others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

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