Don’t keep your love in a box!

Tue, 22 Nov 2022

‘She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head.’ Mark 14:3

What will you be remembered for, a life of service or self-centredness? Jesus experienced a kind, selfless act that will always be remembered. ‘A woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume… She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold… and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus… “She has done a beautiful thing to Me. The poor you will always have with you… But you will not always have Me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on My body beforehand to prepare for My burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’’’ (Mark 14:3–9 NIV)

Nicodemus brought about 30 kg of aloes and myrrh to anoint Jesus after He was dead, and not a word of praise is spoken about it in Scripture. This woman brought half a kilogram and poured it on Him while He was still living, and Jesus pointed out two things:

(a) ‘She did what she could.’ Acts of kindness are usually not about doing great things, but about doing small things with great love.

(b) ‘What she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’

How do you show people you care about them? Do you go out of your way to fill their lives with joy while there’s still time. Those expressions of appreciation, those words of forgiveness, that special gift you’ve had in mind, give it while you can. Don’t keep your love in a box!