Matthew 26:6-13 tells us "while Jesus was in the house of Simon, who had been a leper, as he sat at table a woman came in to him and poured an alabaster jar of very costly ointment on Jesus' head. The disciples felt she should have sold the jar for money to give to the poor. But Jesus reprimanded His disciples and proclaimed, "Why do you trouble this woman that has performed a good service for me?..Truly, I tell you, what she has done for me will be proclaimed all over the world where the Good News is preached, in remembrance of her." ("This woman's act of sacrificial love won higher praise from Jesus than any other in the New Testament." From the Bible's footnotes)
"This woman gave to Jesus something that cost her a great deal and gave it without a moment's hesitation. Whether she knew beforehand that Jesus would be beaten and crucified is not revealed. What is revealed is that this act drew more praise from Jesus than any other recorded."
This is the kind of extravagant witness that Jesus seeks from us. Never mind the money value, but think of the witness. The "cost" of this ointment from the woman in the scripture, must have been costly to her in many ways, but primarily its rarity. She did not give a moment's hesitation. We must never give Jesus anything but the very best of ourselves, our resources, our time, and our talents.
Lord Jesus, give us hearts to be extravagant in your service to respond to your extravagant love for us. Amen.
Jo INMN
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