Now Is The Time!

There was a woman by the name of Mary Magdalene who had an alabaster jar which contained expensive ointment that she used to pour on the head of Jesus. The disciples did not understand why she would do such a thing, and they said they thought it was a waste; because the ointment was very expense. They said that the ointment could have been used in a better way by selling it, and giving the money that was made to the poor. But when Jesus understood, He said why bother the woman, for what she was doing was a good thing; because the poor would always be with them, but that He would not. Jesus made a point of letting them know the importance of priorities, and that the purpose of what Mary Magdalene did, was for His burial.

The disciples got so wrapped up in the works of the ministry, that their priorities were out of balance; and they were not focusing on the One they loved and served. However, the focus of Mary Magdalene was on the One she loved and served. She was a good example of making sure that one's priorities are in line.

We will always have the poor with us as Jesus said, and the responsibilities of ministry, just like we will always have bills and family obligations. However, we should make sure that we appreciate the people in our lives that we love, while they are still with us. We should not be so distracted by the cares of life, that we forget about the bread of life. We should not wait until those that we love are no longer with us to show them how much they mean to us.

When Mary Magdalene expressed her love by pouring an entire vial of expensive ointment on the head of Jesus, she expressed her love and value for Him publicly. Obviously, she did not care about what other’s thought about her open display of affection, admiration, and worship, for the One she loved. She let Him know that her love ran deep, and that there was no expense too high.

Mary Magdalene set an example for the rest of us on how we should love the Lord. She also set an example for us on how we should express our love for others. We should make sure there is no doubt in their minds, that they are deeply loved, by outwardly expressing our love for them and toward them; in the presence of other people. There is nothing that can compare to the love and acceptance of someone in public. Public acknowledgement of those we love will build up the spirit within them, and encourage their heart.

• Is there someone you love? Do they know it?
• Are you afraid to express your love for someone?
• Have you publicly expressed your love for them?

Reflection:

If there is someone that you say you love, and they do not know it; now is the time to let them know. Don’t wait until it’s too late, and God removes them from your life to be loved and appreciated by someone who will not be afraid to verbally state how they feel about them. Like the woman with the alabaster jar, express your love for them outwardly.

Scripture Reference:
Matthew 26:6-13

Alabaster:
The ancients considered alabaster to be the best material in which to preserve their ointments. Breaking the box, probably means breaking the seal of the box.

Good:
1) beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

a) beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent
b) good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends

1) genuine, approved
2) precious
3) joined to names of men designated by their office, competent, able, such as one ought to be
4) praiseworthy, noble
c) beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy

1) morally good, noble
d) honourable, conferring honour
e) affecting the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming

Memorial:
1) a memorial (that by which the memory of any person or thing is preserved), a remembrance

Poor:
1) reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms
2) destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour
a) lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches
b) helpless, powerless to accomplish an end
c) poor, needy

3) lacking in anything
a) as respects their spirit

1) destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford (men of this class most readily give themselves up to Christ's teaching and proved them selves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure)

Trouble
1) a beating
2) a beating of the breast with grief, sorrow
3) labour
a) trouble

1) to cause one trouble, make work for him
b) intense labour united with trouble and toil

Poured:
1) to pour down upon
2) pour over, pour upon

Precious:
1) of weighty, great value, very precious, costly

Purpose:
1) who, which, what

Definitions:
Blue Letter Bible. "Gospel of Matthew 26 - (KJV - King James Version)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 27 Nov 2009. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=26&t=KJV >

Higgins, S. (2009). Now Is The Time. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. http://devotionsforthought.blogspot.com