LOVE LIFTED ME
Matthew 26:13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.
Shortly before Jesus was to go to the cross, a wonderful thing was done to Jesus. When he was in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with a very expensive jar of alabaster perfume and poured it on his head. It says that the disciples were upset saying it should have been sold and given to the poor. They may have said this because we see earlier that Jesus gave a parable about sheep and goats, and the sheep were blessed because they helped the poor. And it could have been that they wanted to impress Jesus, and others by acting as if they cared so much for the poor. Whatever the reason Jesus rebuked them. I am sure taking them by surprise.
Jesus then explains to them that she did it in preparation for his burial. Jesus had told his disciples many times that he would be rejected and killed, but it seems as though they somehow denied the possibility of it ever happening. Now by the inspiration from the Heavenly Father or the Holy Spirit the woman gives her best for Jesus.
In return Jesus stands up for her and even rewards her by saying that what she has done will be remembered and told throughout the world when people talk about Jesus. No amount of money could have just purchased this honor that Jesus bestowed on her. Chances are it was nothing she experienced in her lifetime, but just the same she knew what Jesus said would happen.
For me this points to the great truth of how much Jesus loves and appreciates what we do for him even if it may be something small in the eyes of the world. The reason for my feeling this way is because if he felt this way for this woman he will for everyone else that does something nice for him.
In Mark 19:29-31 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields - with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first. This was Jesus response to Peter for asking if he would receive anything for giving up all he had to follow him. Although Peter, the other apostles and disciples had great hardship and sacrifice for Jesus even to the point of giving their lives for him, I am sure that Jesus blessed them on earth as well as in heaven. In some ways it is not the greatness of the sacrifice as it is the intent of the heart. When we do something in love for Jesus it moves him greatly just like with the perfume. Maybe this is the reason we see so many acts of generosity and kindness show to Jesus by women. I am sure that when we get to heaven that some of the greatest rewards will be for woman that loved Jesus very much. This is not to say that man do not love Jesus, because I certainly do and know many others that do as well. Possibly it is in our masculine make up that tells us that we show our love for taking care of our family through our work and the like. I can honestly say that any sacrifice that I or my family has made for Jesus, he has returned many times over. We have truly had a blessed life all because of Jesus. All we ever did was to put him first and love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
For those that love that love Jesus there will be natural expressions of it in the life we live by what we do for others. Never let Satan and the powers of darkness make you think that your love for Jesus is little in the eyes of Jesus. He sees everything you do, and loves you for it. You are precious in his sight and heart.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the appreciation of what we do for you even if it is unworthy of your greatness. Please help us to never get tired of expressing our love for you in all we say and do. We love you Jesus!
