WHAT CAN WE GIVE TO JESUS?

“The house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” (John 12:3)

Imagine if you were in a serious dating relationship, and you wanted to buy a gift for that special someone. You wouldn’t just go pick out the first thing you saw in the local discount store. You’d take your time to find just the right thing. And when you gave your gift, you wouldn’t simply drop it off with a casual note. You’d deliver it in person, and you’d let them know just how important they were.

All of these actions are similar to what Mary does in today’s Gospel. Her gift of spikenard reveals the extravagant devotion of a lover. It’s extravagant not only for how much it costs—an entire year’s wages—but for how she gives it. If she were only anointing Jesus for burial, she would cover his head with the ointment. But in an act of adoration and worship, she anoints his feet instead. By this, she is saying: “I love you, Jesus, for all that you have done and for what you are about to do for me.”

Jesus might expect the same level of devotion from Judas. He was, after all, one of only twelve men picked from all Israel. Judas had been with Jesus for three whole years, hearing him preach and watching him perform miracles. But somehow Judas lost his devotion. He became so selfish that he could no longer give Jesus anything—least of all his heart. Judas was interested only in what he could get. He was even ready to betray Jesus for a pile of silver coins!

As you pray this week, keep the image of Mary in mind. And ask the Holy Spirit to give you a deeper sense of worship. Meditate on all he has blessed you with. Ponder his incomparable work of redemption on the cross. Lay aside any anxieties about the future or bitter regrets about the past. Just remember that he loves you today. Let these truths penetrate your heart so that praise and thanksgiving well up from inside you. And know that any humble, grateful prayer you offer is like sweet-smelling incense to him!

“Lord, how can I thank you for redeeming me from sin and for the new life you have given me? I can never thank you enough!”

-- that in all things God may be glorified!--