September 12  |  Mark 14

READ
"And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head."  Mark 14:3

EXAMINE
A woman (largely believed to be Mary) came to Jesus and poured a jar of expensive perfume on Jesus' head.  The disciples, who were watching the whole thing, were indignant that the woman would "waste" what would have been a years wages when there were poor people all around who needed to be fed and taken care of.  Jesus, on the other hand, saw her loving sacrifice as a "beautiful thing."  Mary sacrificed a prized possession for the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus in the face of scoffers so that He would be made much of and put in the highest place of honor.  Mary "got it" and the disciples seemed to miss the point yet again!

APPLY
How many times do I not bring my best to the feet of Jesus?  Does what I bring even require sacrifice?  Mary possibly gave up an entire years wages and a beloved family heirloom just to see that Jesus would be honored and made much of...what have I sacrificed today to see that Jesus is made much of?  What will you sacrifice?  I don't want to be a disciple who walks and talks with Jesus, has seen miracles and wonder, knows his heart; yet chooses function over freedom.

PRAYER
God help me to sacrifice my natural desire to choose function over freedom.  God I want to freely sacrifice everything to see that you are made much of and honored before men and in my life.  God keep me from second rate gifts and offerings that require no sacrifice.  May I offer up my best fruits first even in the face of ridicule and pain.  Your honor, Your glory and Your renown are worth more than my comfort, my reputation and even my sacrifice.  My I "get it" and not "miss the point" today! AMEN

***I attached a song that came to my mind as I was journaling.  I encourage you to listen to it and use it as a moment to pause in private worship today or sometime this week.  If you have issues with the file it's Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Much of You"