Have you ever been so grateful to God for what He has done that you were willing to give Him something valuable? Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus in the book of John, certainly did. Jesus had just performed an incredible miracle to prove that He was and is the Resurrection and the Life. Lazarus had been dead for four days, and he was already buried. Jesus came and spoke the words “Lazarus, come out,” and he at once had life again. He walked out of the tomb. Mary and Martha, who were grieving, were no longer sad, but joyful. Mary wanted to give her thanks to Jesus, and she did so in an extraordinary way.
Before the Passover, Jesus and His disciples were having a meal in Simon the leper’s house with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Mary took ointment that cost 300 denarii (the equivalent of modern day $25,000) and at once broke the canister and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. Judas, who was sitting at the table was repulsed by the perceived waste of money. Jesus then told Judas to leave her alone, for He was only around for a little while longer, she had her priorities straight in worshiping Him, and that she had a joy in Christ, from believing He was the Resurrection and the Life, that she would need at His grave in a few short days.
For some $25,000 may not seem like a lot, for many of us, however, it is a great sum. It was equivalent to a year’s wages. So imagine using your entire year’s paycheck and use it all at once. You are not to just use it, but use it in a manner that worships Jesus, for He is worthy. The reality is, God calls us to give Him more than that. He calls us to give Him all of who we are. To give Him your time, your energy, your money, all that you have. He had every right to punish you for what you have done in sinning against Him. Instead, He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die in your place. His blood has purchased your freedom from sin. Now, instead of living our lives enslaved to sin, we should spend our lives dedicated to His will and work. We are His vessel to be poured out in an act of worship. Remember, if you are in Christ, your life is not yours. It belongs to God. Live your life as an offering in all that you do, for His glory.