Pour It Out

Today is Wednesday of Passion Week.

While there isn’t much mentioned in Scripture as to what exactly occurred this day, over 2000 years ago, we do know that this was a day of preparation for what was to come. Back then, perfume was poured over one’s body in preparation for the burial. Let’s take a look at Mary’s actions toward Jesus: Matthew 26:6-13 says:

“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Studies show that the perfume Mary poured out was equal to a year’s salary!

We read this beautiful story of one woman’s sacrifice. This was her worship to the Lord. She didn’t make this sacrifice to be seen by those around her, she did it to be known by Jesus.  We don’t do for God to be seen, we do for God because it is what the King of Kings deserves! The Bible says, “What is done in secret, the Lord rewards” (Matthew 6:4). When we’ve tasted and seen of God’s goodness, there should be nothing that we withhold from Him (Psalm 34:8). Mary knew that one hundred percent of all she had belonged to the Lord. So, it was no issue for her to give Jesus her best.

Throughout the rest of the week, you will hear about Jesus’ death and resurrection. While Jesus was sent to walk the Earth and, ultimately, live to die for us, He was also sent to model sacrifice and obedience. So, when Mary gave away her most-prized position to show honor and respect to Jesus, it modeled that there is no earthly possession above Him. She took something of great value and showed Jesus that He was everything to her.

We live in a world where it’s easy to cling to material things, but my prayer for you today is that you will cling to Jesus!

And the passage says that when the disciples saw her worship, saw her pouring out her perfume on Jesus, they began to condemn her. But Jesus stepped in and let them know, listen, “She got it right. If you would just cling to me. If you would just make a sacrifice for me. If you would just give me your best worship. If you would just pour out all you have in my name’s sake, I will bless you.”

This passage ends on verse 13 by saying, “Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Family, take a moment and give God your best worship, dig deep and pour out your best for the King. Not because I’m telling you to but because it’s what our God deserves! Let go of the material things in this world to cling to the Almighty. My grandmother used to say, “It’s okay to have things, just don’t let things have you.”

So as we go into worship right now, give God your best, He’s so worthy.

Som Tami

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