Editorial

Giving our best to Jesus

 

…a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over Jesus´ head.                  

Mark 14:3

At Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, was a gathering of the disciples together with Jesus and others to celebrate. It was a few days before Jesus was crucified.

Everyone sat around the table when unexpectedly a woman entered the room. She had come to anoint Jesus. She expressed her love and compassion towards Jesus by pouring pure nard oil on Jesus’ head. All she possessed was offered at once, and by breaking the flask, she didn´t hold anything back. The potent aroma must have filled the room, and everybody was a part of what happened. 

This woman showed an extravagant and sacrificial love, demonstrating her commitment, passion and gratefulness. She did not offer Jesus a little of what she owned but rather gave her best, all she probably had. This act of worship shows her deep understanding of who Jesus is and what he did for her. 

The disciples in the room reacted quite harshly towards the woman, with a lack of understanding. They responded with “Why pour this precious nard oil on Jesus and not sell it and use the money use it to feed the poor?” In their eyes, it is a waste. 

Nevertheless, Jesus saw the woman´s heart and defended her, pointing out what a beautiful thing this woman did to him. He deeply appreciated it. The poor will always be there, Jesus said. But he won´t always be around. She did what she could by pouring perfume on Jesus´ body to prepare for his burial, which was a custom at that time. Jesus promises that wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the world, her act will be told and remembered.

 

May we be challenged by that story to give our best to Jesus as we start to journey into this new year. 

Surely our service for Jesus will be seen by Him.

 

God’s blessing to you all,

Rev. Dr. Yassir Eric and the CM team