March 19, 2013
Mar 20, 2013
Dear Friends,
Yesterday we learned from John 12 that there are times in a person’s life where they ought to be extravagant.
Mary of Bethany, in an act of extravagant love, poured out a perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. Here were our takeaways:
· A person of extravagant love gives regardless of who is watching. Mary performed her act of devotion in front of her family and one or more of the disciples.
· A person of extravagant love gives regardless of the cost. The perfume Mary poured out on Jesus was worth a year’s wages.
· A person of extravagant love gives of one’s self personally. Mary was all in. She loved God with her heart, soul, mind and strength, and hair. J She wasn’t only willing to get her hands dirty, but she was willing to get her hair dirty as well! J When she revealed her hair to Jesus she revealed something very significant and intimate for a woman in that culture. She had included Jesus as part of her family. She had taken Him in as Lord. By using her hair, she was expressing to Jesus that she was giving her all to Him.
· A person of extravagant love acts before it is too late. Jesus explained to Judas and others watching that Mary was preparing Jesus for His upcoming burial. She wanted to show her devotion and love for Jesus while He was still alive.
· A person of extravagant love makes a lasting impression. The Word says that the fragrance of that perfume Mary used filled the entire house. Everyone in the house got the benefit of the fragrance.
How extravagant is your love for God? Are you willing to demonstrate it regardless of who is watching? Are you willing to demonstrate it sacrificially? Are you “all in?” Heart, soul, mind, strength and hair? Or are you content just to attend, tip God in the offering plate, and go on your merry way? Are you holding back in showing your love for Him to Him and others or are you living with a sense of urgency that you must communicate your extravagant love to God or someone else before it is “too late?” Is the impression you are leaving on people one of extravagant love or egocentric self?
Prayer: Jesus, help us want to spend the rest of our lives telling You and showing You how much we love you and showing others how much You love them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I hope to see you Wednesday for our special baptism and choir concert!Show someone God’s extreme love today, and do it extravagantly!
Pastor Melissa
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