03 Apr 2007 - Mark 14:3-5

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

/Lord, guide me through your Spirit; bring understanding deep into my
heart and mind. Reveal yourself to me in new ways in this day and in
this Easter season./

*Scripture for Today:* Mark 14:3-5 *//*

*What do you see? *Are you more like ‘the indignant’ or the woman? How
much should it cost to worship Jesus?

* *I’m a practical sort and you probably are too. I want the proper
amount of money to go to the proper places. I don’t like to pay more
than I have to and I love good deals! If I can get something for
nothing; all the better--Amen? So what is your reaction to this little
episode from Jesus’ life and how do you apply it today, right now?

Two interesting notes: 1)A parallel passage from John (12:3) reveals
that this woman was likely Mary, sister to Martha and Lazarus (the guy
Jesus raised from the dead) and 2)This man is Simon “the Leper” and the
episode takes place at his house! Since lepers were more likely to be
ostracized at that time than host a party we might assume that Jesus
healed this man. (Isn’t it cool that it probably stuck as a nick name?
“Hello, I’m Simon—Formerly known as ‘The Leper’.”) Isn’t it hard not to
immediately fall in love with this environment? The scene presents this
passionate woman (Mary), anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume,
in the house of a healed man--a miracle of Jesus.

But there were skeptics, there are always skeptics. And all too often
one of the skeptics is me. I may not voice it, but I often think it.
Hopefully I exercise the fortitude to allow Jesus to search my heart and
cleanse me from my wickedness and breathe new life into my faith and
experience where I am tempted to be skeptical. Those who stood on the
fringes and poked holes in Mary’s worship missed so much! In this
amazing worship setting their hearts were hardened. Come and sit with
Mary at Jesus’ feet this Easter season, don’t stay on the fringes. He
gave all and we can too!

/Lord, I cannot hide anything from you; you know my heart. Help me allow
you to cleanse my heart of all the ugliness I hide there. As I gaze on
Jesus, touch me with your love./**

* *

Bill Francis, Morello Hills Christian Church**