Returning the Blessing

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy.  While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.  The disciples were indignant when they saw this.  “What a waste!” they said.  “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”  But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me?  You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.  She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial.  I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”  

Matthew 26:6-13

The setting of this event is near the end of Jesus' life and ministry.  The religious and political forces have joined hands to seek his death.  Even within Jesus' own organization, Judas joins the evil plot.  Barely a week before the crucifixion, Mary throws all caution to the wind and bestows a "king's ransom" type of gift on the Lord.  This act of worship causes his followers consternation over Mary's extravagance; it causes curiosity among the onlookers; and it causes Jesus' heart to overflow with gladness.

Which Mary of the New Testament’s several is the one who pours-out this blessing on Jesus is somewhat in question.  The accounts differ in the gospels (perhaps due to separate incidents).  But the question as to which Mary (the prostitute, Magdaline, or the sister of Lazarus)...whichever, we are presented with a beautiful answer as to how our love and worship of the Lord should take form.  Every Mary in Jesus’ life and ministry received life from the Lord.  Magdaline received the gift of forgiveness that changed her whole outlook. 

Jesus treated her (perhaps a common prostitute), with respect, and her life became worthwhile.  Mary, sister of Lazarus received her brother back from the dead.  Either Mary would've given all they possessed to a Jesus like that!  What I love about this account is that Mary is obscured, and Jesus is lifted-up!  That is the true essence of worship – I bow lower, Jesus is lifted higher!  

Fritz wasn't that way.  Fritz was Mrs. Grace's six-toed, twenty-five-pound alley cat.  

Mrs. Grace was an elderly, homebound lady in a church I served years ago.  When you came into the house, Fritz took pains to make sure you knew just who was in charge.  He would demand attention – you can do that when you're the big cat in the house.  He would demand to be scratched behind the ears.  If he didn't get it all to his satisfaction, he'd look you in the eye and dig his extra toenails into your forearm.  When he was done with you, he'd walk over to Grace's chair and sit down in a self-satisfied huff.  Fritz owned the place.  He liked Miss Grace because she fussed over him and fed him…often.  But Fritz worshipped himself!

Mrs. Grace, on the other hand, worshiped God.  She was a prayer warrior, continually lifting all the members of our church before the throne.  When I visited her every few weeks, she was eager to hear "how our church was doing". That took the focus off her, placing it fully on the family of God, and the God of her family.  When she died, it was revealed how extravagant the gift was that was poured out, leaving most of her estate to fund ministries.  She could've afforded a chauffeur and a better home, but she put the resources God had entrusted to her into the work of God.  Truly, this extravagant love was poured out.

For You Today 

You hear often in worship testimony times how God has poured-down magnificent blessings.  Question:  Do we miss times to return the blessing?

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

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Title Image:  Pixabay.com   Images without citation are in public domain.  

Unless noted, Scripture quoted from NLT^©   

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

 

Friday, May 7, 2021

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.  Psalm 139: 14

Fifty years ago this morning I became a Dad.  That morning was one of those truly unforgettable experiences that changes one’s life.  Elizabeth and I wanted a family, but after a few years of that not happening, we were wondering if we’d ever be parents.  Then came Jennifer Anne…and, with the truth firmly in place, that a child changes everything, life with (eventually) three children, began a journey of finding out just how fearfully and wonderfully we are made.

Jen was full of surprises from day one.  When Elizabeth went into labor, we called Dr. Matheson for instructions (probably the 200^th time).  He said, C’mon, I’ll meet you at the hospital.  (I wondered how he could be so calm at a moment like this).  He was even more chilled-back when we got there.  They took Elizabeth into the labor room, and I was told to wait - outside.  Fifty years ago Dads were even more in the dark than these days.  After several minutes, the doc reappeared and told me to go on home and get some sleep; the baby would be hours and hours away.  So I trudged back home and, on doctor’s orders, drifted off.  Ten minutes later the phone was ringing…Congratulations, said Dr. Matheson, you’re a Dad!  I’m not certain what it was I actually said, but I remember thinking, Doc Matheson, you’re a man with a medical degree and thirty years of OB practice, and, Doc, my two-minute-old daughter played you into sending me home.  My wife’s gonna kill me for not being there…thanks a bunch!

Later, that morning of May 7, 1971, I saw that little face for the first time, and the reality that my world had changed began to take hold.  A few minutes later I beheld the face of Elizabeth, one who had done battle with labor, and who knew I had been asleep while she gave birth, and I knew that my world had really changed!

Milestones are simply markers along a journey.  Fifty years sounds like a long time; and it is, but I tend more and more to look at it as a treasure-trove of memories of the wonder-in-reverence of God’s marvelous plan and love for us. 

Jen has had a life of joys, disappointments, victories and love.  She is an artist, nutritionist, accomplished musician, master gardener, wife, mother of 3, grandmother, homemaker, and has even worn a hard hat “pulling wires” when Ken (her husband of more than 25 years) needed help on a job. 

Jen is strong, beautiful, and a bubbling presence, filled with love, compassion, and a willingness to help.  But these words are not just a resume’ – rather a commentary on what God has been able to create in a heart that has been opened to His love and gifts.   Above all the accomplishments, joys, and sorrows, stands one governing force of our first-born – her love for Christ, and Biblical wisdom gleaned from many hours of studying God’s Word, along with putting that Word into action in her daily life.  We love our Jen, and her family, along with our other children and theirs.  Family is God’s way of telling us just how important we are to Him.  And Jen, your part of that message stands strong!  Happy Birthday, sweetheart! 

For You Today

The joys of God’s family are all around you; and you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Don’t miss that about His love for you!

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!  

[1] Title Image: Pixabay.com   Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©