And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,[a] as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii[b] and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S.
Sin/Promise to confess- Jesus does not rebuke those who arrive at "odd" times and or may have been "foolish" with their offering, but accepts it. There are social constraints that we abide by, times in service when it's time to stop worshipping and move on to the lesson, or times when prayer is over. Though if we continue to worship or pray those around us may scoff and be irritated, but Gd will understand and accept.
Attitude to change- to be confident in speaking with the Lord and the Lord's chosen and confidently give what I have. There are times where I feel too dirty to approach a deacon or a pastor in training. There are times pastor asks for 5 dollars from everyone and though 5 dollars is not a lot, sometimes i only have 2, AND it's in change and I feel so ashamed and unable to be obedient or help. This scripture says, change that sorry, pity and dirty like conscience because the Lord knows my heart, just like he knew the heart of the woman in this scene. And he found her gift to be a true sacrifice and good and acceptable and pleasing.
Command to obey- Put the Lord before poor people. There is an appropriate time to put the Lord and your responsibilities to him before those of the people, yes, even people in need.
Example to follow- The woman, who knew was not wanted, knew her sins, but she kept praying, kept approaching, kept seeking the Lord. She kept trying. She didn't give up.
Prayer to pray- Be not ashamed when seeking the Lord and offering what I may consider to be a little thing, but Gd may find acceptable. I need to learn to approach him in my sin. This doesn't mean to go boldly and proud of my sin, but this means to literally take my unclean, roughed up, fresh out of sin self to the alter on my knees. Crying, praying, praying and seeking his forgiveness, seeking the love He promised me.
Error to avoid- judging the sacrifice and giving of others.
Truth to believe- "She has done what she could"
Something to praise Gd for- Accepting us dirty, broken, depressed, poor, rich, big, small
POV- Disciples, Simon the Leper, Woman, Guests
Disciples- "Who is this lady? Who let her in here? She is filthy and foolish. Look at her crawling on the floor, she must be possessed, on drugs or something. Ew."
Simon the Leper- "Let her in. Let her be healed. Let her do whatever she wants to do for Jesus who healed me of leprosy. He can heal her too!"
Woman- This is a bit embarrassing walking in front of all these men, prominent men at that, but I have no choice. I'm desperate, let them kick me, let them drag me out. I need help, I need love, I am nothing anyway. But if this man is the Messiah, I must do something, this small thing, which is all I have, because I do, I do love the Lord, I'm just so broken, so hurt, and I need Him. I pray He not rebuke me, I pray he not push me, PLEASE Lord allow me near, have mercy on my soul, please accept this offering.
Guests- "What in the world is going on? What kind of dinner party is this? Do they just let anyone up in here? Ooohhhh..Look at that lady."
I relate to Simon and the Woman the most. Simon because anyone that seeks the Lord no matter in what state should come, has the right to come and should not be denied. If they have an offering or an sacrifice, who am I to judge it, deem it not good enough? It should be given to Gd no matter how big or small it is. I also relate to the woman as well because many times I'm embarrassed of people possibly seeing me when I walk up to the alter or watch me pray or tear. I also often times feel my offering or tithe is not a sacrifice or not a good enough sacrifice compared to others. This lady and I differ because she went for it anyway, whereas I guess I am too proud to allow people to see me like that. Too proud to even give what little I have to give. I would try to make an appt. with Jesus, or wait till the dinner was over and after I took a shower. This woman is, well, she is much stronger than I.
APPLY IT
I will give what I have in confidence and I will talk to pastor whenever I feel like it.
Prayer
Help me to seek you first before I jump into helping anyone. Help me to seek you no matter how the world may view at me.Amen.
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