As I ride the sky train or walk in the mall, I see a lot of lost souls. And it really breaks my heart.
I keep asking God, “How can I tell them about Jesus?”
In this era of materialism, most of us define a life of meaning and success based on what we have – wealth, career, fame. And if someone has all of those, then really, why would that person need God? If everything is going very well, then, what is God for?
It’s a point missed. BIG time.
If God allowed me to be born in this lifetime to survive, be successful and accomplished, do whatever I want, but then die eventually , if death will just make everything in vain, then what is really the point of living?
We missed the point. Truth is, until we truly know who God is and His great plan for…
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
Reflection:
Knowing Jesus
Jesus loved to spend time with people, did not matter what kind of status the people had in the society. He ate with them and had conversations with them. (While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples – Mark 2:15)
Bethany is the place where Lazarus lived. Lazarus was the one whom Jesus raised from the dead, brother of Mary and Martha (John 11). This family was very close to Jesus as well.
Just imagine if Jesus would come to your home to hang out, how would you prepare? For sure, you would make things look impressive, taking out the “special” dishware which are only used during special occasions. However, as I read and imagine this – he was reclining at the table, I pictured it as very relaxing and comfortable. Jesus just really wanted to hang out and be with people. He did not care about the external. This is the same with our life. Jesus does not care with the brand of clothing or shoes you wear. He does not even care what position you have or how rich you have become. He just wants to be in your life, to be the center of your life. He wants to hang out with you – all of you.
The woman mentioned with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume was Mary. In today’s time, the most expensive perfume costs US $215,000 which is the Clive Christian’s Imperial Majesty. It is a 6.9-ounce perfume bottle with an 18-carat gold collar that is embellished with a five-carat diamond. Do you even want to use that perfume if someone would give it to you? We might just even hide it to make sure no one steals it. Now imagine this – Mary poured out a very expensive perfume on Jesus’ head. Imagine pouring out a US $215,000 worth of perfume just in one time. Would you even dare? Mary did.
Jesus is like the alabaster jar with the very expensive perfume. God gave His Most Precious One and Only Son Jesus to us to the point of death. Jesus sacrificed ALL of His life that we may have eternal life. (For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16). That’s how much God loves us.
Our life is also like the alabaster jar with the very expensive perfume. Jesus wants the entire perfume, not just a portion of it. He wants us to give our ALL to Him. He wants us to give our BEST to Him. Is there anything in your life right now that is hindering you to come closer to God? Are you always giving your best in everything that you do? Is there anything that is holding you back to give all of your life to God? Giving your all does not mean giving up your career or your money or your family to follow Him. Giving your all means putting God first before anyone and anything in your life and that in everything that you do, it honors and pleases God.
If you desire to give your all to God today, you can say this prayer:
Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you for reminding me today of how much you love us. Thank you for your One and Only Son Jesus that through Him I can have eternal life. Lord, teach me how to give my whole life to you. Help me to make You the first in my life that I may be able to give my best always in everything that I do. Forgive me Lord for holding back a lot of things in my life which hindered me to be more close to You. I want to know more about Your love through Jesus Christ. This I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.”
Reflection:
During the time of David, they offer animals as sacrifices to the Lord but these are not what God desires. In the time of King Saul, Samuel told Saul, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
The verses 7-8 speak about Jesus being the perfect sacrifice that is only pleasing to God. Because God was not pleased with burnt and sin offerings of men, Jesus had to come to do the will of the Father. In Hebrews 10:10, it says, “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
God does not want us to show off to Him how good or best we are at something.What God desires for us is to see Jesus sitting at the throne of our life. Why? Because Jesus is the only pleasing sacrifice that God accepts as a payment of our sinful life. Our good works or good intentions will never be enough because our lives are stained with sin. The blood of Jesus is the only cure that when God looks into our lives, He will see the blood of His Only Son covering our sin. And that will be enough for God.
Have you come to that point in your life that you feel so tired of trying to be better or to have a good life? I have good news for you. Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”(Matthew 11:28) All you need to do is to receive Jesus in your life and trust Him to be your Lord and Savior. Through Him, you will receive forgiveness for all your past, present and even future sins. And not only that, through Jesus you will receive the most precious give of salvation that leads to eternal life. Once you open your life to Jesus, your life will never be the same again. There will still be difficulties along the way, but this time, the yoke will be much easier because Jesus is walking with you to strengthen you and sustain you.
If you are sincere in your heart to accept Jesus, you can say this prayer.
Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you for your amazing love that you have showed to us through Jesus Christ. Thank you for making a way for us through Jesus so that our lives will become acceptable to you. Today, with a sincere heart, I accept you Jesus to be my Savior. I believe that you have died and resurrected that I will receive the gift of salvation and eternal life. I ask of you today to also become the Lord of my life. Forgive me for all of my sins and help me to turn away from my wrongdoings. May You take over my life Lord Jesus that I may live in obedience to You. This I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
If you have accepted Jesus, I would love to hear from you and would love to pray for you. Please leave a message here.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
“Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.” – Hebrews 10:18
Song:
May this song remind you of the sacrifice of Jesus for all of us.
Beautifully Waiting 