Lessons In Love
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, let Your Holy Spirit pour thanks into my heart today. You give without ceasing, but I so often fail to say thanks.
Read John 12:1-11
[1] Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. [2] Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. [3] 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. [4] But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, [5] “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” [6] He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. [7] “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. [8] You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” [9] Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. [10] So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, [11] for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Never fail to accept the greatness of all God has done for you.Mary’s actions (3) offer at least three lessons in love. First, Mary demonstrated unselfish love. The priceless perfume was probably Mary’s most precious possession, yet she did not hesitate to pour it all out for Jesus. Second, Mary was unassuming. It was customary for a host to anoint a guest’s head, but only a slave would wash the feet. Just as Mary had once sat at Jesus’ feet listening intently (Luke 10:39), she now sat at his feet serving humbly. Finally, Mary was unselfconscious in her love. Loose hair was commonly associated with loose women. But Mary would not allow concern over appearances or reputation to hinder her expression of love for the Lord. And then, from Jesus, we learn an amazing lesson about the willingness to receive. William Temple comments: “Man’s humility does not begin with the giving of service; it begins with our readiness to receive it.” Although he would shortly give humanity the greatest gift of all–the gift of himself–Jesus accepted, appreciated and affirmed Mary’s gesture of love (7), and he did so without embarrassment or excuse.
Apply
Whether it’s material things, acts of service or expressions of love, is it harder for you to give generously or to receive graciously? Why?
Closing prayer
Dear Jesus, often giving is like a one-way street: from You to me. Let Your generous Spirit guide me to show Your love to others.
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