Easter holiday is almost over, we’ve spent time reflecting on the sufferings of Christ, the betrayal and denials, the empty tomb, its implications today and others. I’m still stuck somewhere back in the days before the first Easter. I’m relishing one great story that will continue to be told until Jesus returns. What does pure love look like?
One night, few days to His crucifixion, Jesus and His disciples were having dinner with some friends as told in Matthew 26:6-13 and John 12:1-8. After dinner, Mary broke a jar of extremely expensive perfume and poured it over Jesus’ feet. Today, this might be comparable in price to treating Jesus to the most expensive luxury spa package. Mary and her family weren’t rich. This sealed jar of perfume was probably Mary’s most valuable possession.
She didn’t open it, sprinkle a few drops and give Jesus a quick foot massage. No. She broke the seal, poured every drop of this perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped it with her hair. Why His feet? Why her hair? What’s the connection?
It shocked everybody. Judas, the clan’s thieving treasurer and the eventual betrayer, couldn’t hide his disgust. He said it was a mega waste. “This perfume was worth a fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” That comment could be likened to the question, “What’s this neurosurgeon doing in this nameless village in the name of world missions?”
What could anyone give to or for Jesus that would be a waste? What could ever be too much for Him? Some may not think deeply about this question until their love is tested, with other alternatives and options that seem suitable or sufficient or within reach.
Jesus had few days earlier raised Mary’s brother Lazarus from the dead. Was this a way to show appreciation? Was it just an expression of unconditional love; of deep devotion that words could not fitly tell? Whatever was going on in Mary’s mind that day, she alone knew. Cost was certainly not an issue.
Cost equaled worth here. No piece of clothe was worthy of an ounce of that perfume. Mary chose to share its rich fragrance with her Lord alone as she wiped it with her hair. I imagine that when she was done, there was not a drop on the floor.
No soul on earth that day could claim closer intimacy with Jesus than Mary. She shared a common fragrance with Him, one best suited for His burial. She’d seized an opportunity to connect with the Lord for the last time, giving her life’s fortune as a parting gift. Are you connecting, with what?
Do you give to win God’s approval or get some immediate reward? Sadly, some have been taught to give with an aim to get something back. Mary gave to One on His way to the cross. What could she be expecting in return?
The idea of sowing in order to reap, sooner than later, has come to stay in the theology of many; so much that even unbelievers who stumble into our churches needing salvation, are encouraged to “sow” money and expect 100% (“double-double“) return from God. Is this right? The principle in general is biblical but the practice could be dubious when the givers heart is distant from God.
A man was once asked by his friend, “Why do you spend so much time doing church work and giving away your stuff to these poor lazy folks…” His reply was, “I hope you’ll still be able to ask this when we are dead and standing before God on judgment day.”
Authentic Christian living should manifest extravagant giving, not just money, but also our time in prayer for others and our talents and energy in service are all expected. We respond to God’s love by first giving our heart and then giving our best.
May God help us crack open something valuable today and lavish it on someone; especially those we feel don’t remotely deserve it. You never know, he or she may later turn out to be Jesus. (Matthew 25:31-43)
HAPPY EASTER!
Kingdom Exploits With Uche 
What I saw in the village I went today aptly reveal the failure of the church, the government and the world system. The defenseless people in those communities have voted for a govt they never saw, paid their taxes for amenities they never enjoyed and left without school, road and portable water. And sadly, though they are only 35mins drive from Jos(because of bad road), they have no church! This is scandalous. And wait for this, they are just 10 minutes drive from the Governor!!!
Where really is the love of God. Uche, press on.
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“No soul on earth that day could claim closer intimacy than Mary”
– That says it all. Thanks Uche for your words. I receive the challenge to Love !
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