Mary’s Lent Diary (Day 39)
That sword piercing my heart is getting more persistent…I have just heard that Jesus has been anointed. Like in burial. But he is not dead! I know he is not, I only saw him yesterday and he was fine. What is all this death stuff? Ok, I am going to take a deep breath and just record exactly what happened…
Jesus is in Bethany, and a dinner was given last night, especially in his honour. Lazarus was there, and Martha and Mary.
Jesus really helped them when he brought Lazarus back to life, so I guess they wanted to say thank you.
The meal was taking place and everyone was having a good time. Suddenly, Mary went up to Jesus. She had a jar of really expensive perfume with her and, when she got to Jesus, she poured it on his feet. The scent of the perfume filled the whole house! Then Mary wiped his feet with her hair. Everyone was watching and everyone was stunned. It reminded me a bit of that time at Simon’s house.
Then Judas spoke up. Judas is one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, and he is in charge of their money. Judas basically thought that what Mary had done was an outrage. Being a money-man, he knew that the perfume was worth a whole year’s salary, and he wanted to know why the perfume had not been sold instead of poured out on Jesus. Then the money could have gone to help the poor. To be honest, I don’t think Judas really cares about the poor. I think he steals money from the pot and keeps it for himself.
But Jesus told Judas to leave Mary alone. That must have been really nice for Mary to hear, when Judas was just criticising her. Jesus went on to say that they would always have the poor there but that they would not always have Jesus. I told you that sword was growing more intense…
Car mechanic with car bonnet raised, exposing engine
How often do we remember to thank Jesus?
What will you thank Him for today?
Once again, Jesus is having dinner at someone's house.
Once again, a woman anoints Him.
Bringing perfume.
Wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair.
Two women, with different lives.
One, an unnamed ‘sinful woman’. (Mary’s Lent Diary (Day 27) — Emily Owen)
The other named Mary, a close friend of Jesus.
The first came to Jesus as someone who didn’t fit in.
Someone who didn’t live in a way society would have called good.
Someone who was all too aware of times she’d messed up.
Someone who may have been unsure of her welcome.
The other, Mary, came to Jesus as His friend.
As someone who was known and respected in society.
As someone who was aware of how much Jesus loved her.
As someone who knew He would welcome her.
Both women came to Jesus, and worshipped.
The first caused people to criticise Jesus, for spending time with someone like her.
The other caused people to criticise herself, for spending money on Jesus.
And Jesus defended both women.
He knew their hearts, and their backgrounds.
Just as He knows yours.
Worship the LORD in the splendour of his holiness.
Psalm 96:9
Two women, similarities in their worship.
But differences, too.
The first woman worshipped with tears, as well as perfume.
The second didn’t.
And both worshipped.
They came to Jesus.
Will you?
How do we respond when other people’s worship looks different from our own?
Do we recognise it as worship?
Making the tea, or moving the chairs, can be worship.
So can playing in the music band.
So can fixing someone’s car.
How would it be if you began recognising other people in the Body of Christ as worshippers?
How would it be if you began recognising that, when you use your God-given talents, you worship Him?
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:17
Mary gave sacrificially.
The perfume was costly.
And Judas said her giving was misdirected.
It should have been given to the poor.
And Jesus told Judas to leave her alone.
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial….
John 12:7
It was intended that Mary honour and worship Jesus in this way.
Doing what she could,
being who she was,
all for Jesus.
Intentional worship.
How will you offer Him intentional worship today?
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for….
I worship You.
As I live my situations today,
may I do so as Your representative,
and with a heart full of worship.
Even when - perhaps especially when -
my worship looks different from other people’s.
I honour You.
Amen
Mary’s Memo Intentionally Worship
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