Wednesday, March 28, 2018

The Scent of Sacrifice


“She broke the jar and poured the perfume.”  Mark 14:3

She gave all she had.  All she had gathered from the past.  All she had garnered for the future.  Bound in a box of stone, the pint of perfume was worth at least a year’s wages, but on that evening in Bethany, Mary surrendered her savings and her security when she opened the jar and anointed Jesus.

Some with Him were appalled.  “What a waste!” they accused.  “Such large treasure could have done much good.  She should have helped out the poor instead of pouring it out.” The rebuke from Jesus came quickly and sternly.  “Leave her alone.  She did something beautiful. She prepared my body for burial.  The needy aren’t going anywhere, but I am.  And for the record, from now on, her story will be shared everywhere my story is spread.”

The last drops fell from His feet to the floor.  The box lay broken, but the aroma lingered in the air.  Nothing smells sweeter than the scent of sacrifice. 

The gift was expensive and priceless.  It was extravagant and precious. And no present has ever been more appropriate.

We will never give more than He is worth.

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