USE IT FOR JESUS
USE IT FOR JESUS
The disciples were irritated when they saw this. They asked, “Why did she waste it like this?” Matthew 26:8 God’s Word Translation
This is the story of a woman who poured very expensive perfume on Jesus. Jesus was relaxing after dinner and this woman came to Him and began to pour this really expensive ointment on Him from his head down. His disciples did not like this idea. They considered this a very wasteful thing to do because the perfume was really very costly and they complained and grumbled that it could have been sold and the proceeds thereof given to the poor. And they scolded her for being extremely wasteful. It was recorded that some even said some unkind things to her. “This perfume could have been sold for a high price, and the money could have been given to the poor.” So they said some very unkind things to her.” Mark 14: 5 God’s Word Translation
Jesus heard them and asked the disciples to desist from troubling her. He said they would always have the poor with them and therefore could do anything for the poor whenever. Jesus commended the woman and said what she had done was truly beautiful in that she was actually anointing His body for burial. Of course the disciples did not understand that Jesus was on the way to being betrayed and crucified.
To the plain and naked eye, what this woman did was considered utterly wasteful and irresponsible. There is no doubt that she must have been led to do what she did because it was not the normal thing to do. In the Gospel, according to Mark, Jesus said she had been forgiven much and that her actions proved it which was why she could not help but lavish herself and her resources on Jesus. Jesus called it beautiful, He praised her for it and went on to say that she would always be remembered for the act. “Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me.” Matthew 14: 6 God’s Word Translation
As I read this story, I asked myself “Oluyinka, what have you wasted for Jesus? What beautiful thing have you done for Him?”
Dear friends, I am asking you all the same questions now.
Have we spent time and resources on Jesus so much so that others have started sniggering behind our backs? Calling us wasteful? Have we supported ministries that tell the story of God’s love for mankind? That tell us how He gave His only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins? Are we making Jesus look beautiful by living a Christ centered and Spirit filled life?
Christmas is just round the corner again. It is a great opportunity to waste on Jesus. We can love our neighbours as ourselves by being a blessing to them.
Jesus has paid the price for our sins by shedding His most precious blood. We are completely forgiven. This is not the time to hold back our giving, this is not the time to be stingy and tight fisted.
Ironically while the woman with the alabaster box was pouring out herself and her resources on Jesus, Judas Iscariot, was busy negotiating to collect thirty pieces of silver for the betrayal of our Saviour. One was giving, another was grabbing.
We do not need to go far to see people who need us, who need our help. They are all around us. They live with us. They work with us and work for us. Let us lavish on them. We have been forgiven so much already. Remember what Jesus said “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40 NIV
Apostle Paul put it clearly this way: “Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.” 1 Timothy 6:18 NLT
As we use and lavish ourselves, our time and resources to show and tell others of God’s love for mankind by giving Jesus to die for us, remember that we are really doing it for JESUS.
USE THOSE RESOURCES FOR JESUS. IT IS A PRIVILEGE!
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS©