MARK 14:3-9 – “And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 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. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 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. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 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.””
THEME OF THE DAY: BEAUTIFUL THINGS TO THE LORD. Today’s scripture portrays a beautiful account of a great sinner offering a great thing to the Savior. Our God in His graciousness and love grants the privilege for rebellious sinners to bring something from their lives to Him He finds pleasing and acceptable. For the woman? She brought a costly alabaster flask of pure nard and poured it out upon Jesus’ Head. There was no holding back. Her appreciation and love for the Lord Jesus would know no bounds to honor Him. And we find our Lord pleased with her sacrifice. To the extent she would be remembered throughout the era of gospel proclamation – “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” (Mark 14:9).
We, too, are afforded daily opportunities to do beautiful things to the Lord, not in His literal presence like the woman, but just as real and meaningful to Him. Here are four practical actions through which we may present to the Lord beautiful things from our lives . . .
First, obedience from the heart – “Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”” (John 14:15). The Lord takes great pleasure in the lives of His children who obey Him out of desire to express their love to Him.
Next, pursue holiness. “Holy, holy, holy” is the cry of the four creatures surrounding the throne in heaven (Revelation 4:8). The occupants of heaven will be holy occupants, and the purpose of salvation is to take unholy sinners and make them holy saints – positionally and progressively. Our holy God delights in His holy people.
A third action from our lives presenting something beautiful to the Lord is loving His people, intentionally, consistently and sacrificially. Jesus told us it is our love for one another that distinguishes us as His people, and this love is what will be experienced throughout eternity – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
Finally, we live pleasing before the Lord with an intensifying desire to be in His Presence. This desire rests upon and is fueled by our Lord’s desire for our company throughout eternity. In His highly priestly prayer, He prayed towards that end – “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24). As we ponder the desire of Jesus for us, He is so pleased when we return our desire for Him – now spiritually and soon, literally.
What an affirmation Jesus gave to the woman – “She has done a beautiful thing to Me” (Mark 14:6). And what a profound truth for us – we may daily do beautiful things to Jesus as well; obey Him from the heart, seek holiness, love His people, and eagerly long for His company.
PRAYER: Father, may my life reflect beautiful things before Your throne that magnifies Your Word and Name.
REFLECTION: Each day is filled with opportunities, not obstacles, to draw attention to the beauty of the Lord.