Be Still and Know - "The House Was Filled With The Fragrance"

(from www.premierchristianradio.com)

1. John 12:3
   
   
   
   
   
   'Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.'
   
   The anointing of Jesus by Mary was a beautiful act of devotion, but it is hard not to have at least some sympathy for Judas, who pointed out that the precious perfume would have cost the equivalent of one year’s wages. That’s a great deal of money. We know that Judas was a thief and that his motives were entirely bad, but anyone might question the wisdom of spending such a huge amount of money in that way. However, incredible generosity is the natural language of love. She was devoted to Jesus and I am sure that, so far as she was concerned, no gift could have been too lavish or generous for her Lord. I love the fact that the fragrance of the perfume filled the house. I’m sure it did, and probably for many days afterwards. And 2,000 years later her lavish generosity still gives us a beautiful insight into the nature of love.
   
   There are thousands of people in our country who care for friends and relatives. They receive no pay, and their lives are severely limited by their caring responsibilities. If you were to count up all the hours they devote to caring, it would come to a vast sum. But it’s not a calculation they have ever bothered to do, and that’s because of love. I have seen people pour out themselves for children’s activities, youth groups, fellowship meetings and church gatherings. They have rarely been thanked for their efforts and never received any rewards, but they have kept going, through thick and thin. I find that incredibly impressive. Their love for the Lord compelled them to pour out their time and effort in a way that would seem ridiculous and unwise to others. But they did so because of love – and we should rejoice!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Question: Think of an act of incredible generosity that you have seen. What did you learn from it?
   
   Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for those who act with incredible generosity out of love for you. Help me to learn from their example. Amen