Verse of the Day - John 12:3

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard. It was an expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the sweet smell of the perfume. ~ John 12:3 (NIrV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Macy's perfume and cologne counters are filled with very nice fragrances, and this time of year, you might find some good sales -- but they're still pricey. The bottles are usually small, and people are very careful how they use them, because to replace them will cost them a pretty penny. So they smell good -- in small quantities.

But good perfume doesn't have to be splashed on like you're taking a bath in it, either. A little goes a very long way, because of how it's made. It's true that you get what you pay for. If you pay for the good stuff, it'll last a long time. That is, unless you're Mary...

An entire pint -- that's two cups, folks -- of Macy's-type perfume came out of her bedroom and onto Jesus' feet. It's no wonder the fragrance filled the whole house! A little dab'll do ya, Mary! What was she thinking? Why so much?

I think she simply gave what was beautiful and precious to her -- and she gave it lavishly. She didn't just put a drop of Dior on Jesus' feet -- she poured the whole bottle out -- an expression of complete and total giving. Not just a tad. The whole thing. The whole sweet-smelling, expensive thing. And then she wiped His feet with her hair, partaking in the offering, so that she smelled like He did. That's total immersion.

Are we chintzy with what we offer Jesus? Do we give just a drop of the Dior of our hearts, or are we pouring the whole bottle onto His feet? Do we really immerse ourselves in the communion of fellowship with Him so that we smell sweet like He does, or do we hold back for whatever reason?

Mary gave lavishly to her Lord. Cost was immaterial, and public perception was of no account. She gave the "good stuff" to Jesus without reservation. May we evaluate our lives and see if we're pouring out the good stuff to Him, giving the best of our hearts to Him in complete surrender.

Love,
Joelene