Saturday, February 19, 2005
Mark 14:3-5 In Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her sharply.
WHAT'S IT WORTH?
I suppose one could argue the point from the angle of money. 300 denarii was equal to a year's wages. How long did it take Mary to save that up? How could she dump it all on the head and the feet of Jesus?
Well, think back. Not long before this, she and her sister Martha had stood before the grave of their brother. But that sad, sad day suddenly changed. You can only imagine the swing of emotion -- grief wiped away, tears dried on the face, joy filling the heart -- when Lazarus came out of the tomb completely healthy -- alive! All because Mary had this friend with tremendous power, almighty power, to overturn death. She would never forget that day. How could she forget that miracle? What was that worth?! Compute that!!
How much is He worth to you?
Consider what He has done for you. The Lord God, who could raise the dead was willing to accept death for Himself -- your death. Though He lived a perfect life, He took responsibility for all of your guilt. Though deserving of the glory of God, He was willing to endure your shame and punishment. He was willing to go the distance, even though it meant death by crucifixion, even though it meant the agony of hell, Consider what all this accomplished.
Through Christ crucified you get a perfect record before God. You get all of God's love and approval -- not to mention the hope of eternal life and the promise of your own resurrection.
Jesus also spoke to you -- just before He raised Lazarus: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."
How much is that worth to you? How much is Jesus worth to you? 