While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly. ‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus. ‘Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.

Mark 14:3-6

Prayer  Points

Pray about your own devotion to Christ. He does not necessarily want you to break social norms, but is your commitment to him such that you would dare to do anything? Tell Jesus how much he means to you.

Pray for the worship life of your church that there will be ‘beautiful things for Jesus’.

Pray for the progress of the gospel in your area. Are people hearing about Christ? What can you or your church do?

     DAY 36 : DARING

Mary of Bethany had it in mind to make an extravagant display of devotion. Perhaps she never thought she would be criticised. What she planned was out of the ordinary. It was shocking. She would pour expensive perfume worth the equivalent of thousands of pounds on Jesus’ head! Would her nerves hold?

She loved Jesus and wanted him to know it, it was that simple. She poured the perfume on Jesus’ head. Those present were outraged and harshly criticised her for this extravagance. But Jesus shielded her from it by saying, ‘She has done a beautiful thing to me.’

The words ‘Why this waste?’ have, through the centuries, deflected good people from serving Jesus. People say it’s a waste of time, money, education, even a waste of a life. But Jesus strengthens those who dare to stand out.

On a hot day in Athens a small Jew stood out in front of an audience of great thinkers. He had been brought to a respected and influential council where philosophies were debated – the Areopagus. Paul had a message and now a rare platform to speak. But how would he state the message? Would his nerves get the better of him?

Paul stood. He said that the God who created all there is cannot be shrunk to look like something we have made. He referred to their man-made religion as ignorance. He said that God gave us life on earth so that people should seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him. Paul’s authenticating punch-line was the resurrection; it didn’t go down well with his hearers. But he did communicate the message and a few believed.

(Acts 17:16-34)

Whether acts of devotion or sharing our story, Christ is there. Dare to be different.

Pray

*    Pray for your ‘big issue’

*    Pray for your ‘three friends’

*    Pray for a new wave of revival.