Who I Say God IsSample

Judas: the prodigal God 

God is faithful and astonishing in His love for us. So, should it really surprise us that He loves it when we're sincerely exuberant in our expression of love for Him? Sadly, such love didn't impress greedy Judas. 

Jesus, who was rich beyond all splendour, all for perfect love's sake gave Himself for us so that we through His poverty and sacrifice might return that love and become (spiritually) rich. So, it's not too much for Him to ask us to spend and be spent for the sake of His glory and Kingdom. We don't become rich in a worldly sense for the sake of selfish greed but in order to love God, becoming more like Him through obedience and generosity. 

Mary had a scent that was worth almost a year's wages, and she poured it out on His feet in this last week of His life. The feet that were nailed to the cross might still have carried the residual scent of Mary's extravagant act of love. 

In His last week of life, instead of smelling like fear and death, Jesus smelled like a million dollars. Judas sounds like the voice of reason: this was surely an unnecessary extravagance! But, Jesus knew His worth, and the beauty of Mary's act of lavish love.

'God, may I value You like Mary valued Your Son. May I be prepared to pour everything out for You who has given Your beloved Son for us. In His name, amen.' 

Does Mary's act look like a reckless, foolish act to you? Or do you see the beauty of what she did?