Wednesday night suppers are a popular church thing . . . at least in the South they are. Last night at our church, we had lasagna. Yum. During Holy Week, Jesus ate a Wednesday night supper too, and a most unusual thing happened.
Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. – John 12:2-3
What strikes me most about this story is the effect the perfume had on the room: “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” What do I find when I compare Mary’s worship of Jesus and my own commitment to Him? Mary gave Jesus something costly and she gave it without reservation. She held nothing back for herself; she had no regard for what others thought. At least one, Judas, was offended, although his offense arose out of his selfish heart. But for most, the aroma was a sweet smell.
Do I bring that kind of “gift” to Jesus? Do I give Him the most costly thing I have . . . my heart? Do I serve Him without regard to what others may think? Do I offer the worship of my obedience to the point that it affects others? Am I broken and spilled out for Jesus?