Anointing

If you were to ask me to name my most prized possession, it would have to be ____________

What is yours? stuffed animal, favorite doll, ball autographed.

If a friend came to visit in your home, would you give your most prized possession to that friend to show your love? That is what a woman named Mary did in our Bible story today.

Jesus went to the city of Bethany. Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, lived with his two sisters, Mary and Martha. a dinner was given in his honor.  Lazarus -eating with Jesus, Martha - serving the meal. Mary just sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to him teach.

While sitting at the feet of Jesus, Mary did a very unusual thing. bottle of very expensive perfume -wash the feet of Jesus with it. Then she dried his feet with her hair. The Bible tells us that the entire house was filled with the sweet smell of perfume.

One disciples, Judas, upset by what Mary did. "What a waste! could have been sold and money given to the poor. worth a year's wages."  Judas wasn't really worried about the poor. The Bible says he often stole money from the treasury for himself.

Jesus came to Mary's defense and answered Judas. "Leave her alone. She has kept this perfume for the day of my burial."

Jesus said that because he knew that it was only a few days before he would be crucified and buried. I don't know if Mary knew that or not, but I do think that Mary wanted to give Jesus the very best that she had to show her love for him. That perfume was the very best thing that Mary had to offer.

Jesus has given us the most wonderful gift imaginable -- the gift of everlasting life. It is free, but it was a very costly gift. It cost Jesus his life.

What can we give to Jesus to show our love for him? I don't think he wants a diamond ring, a stuffed animal, a doll, or an autographed baseball. I think he wants us to give him our very best. He wants us to give him our life!