This alabaster jar had no lid, the precious nard was instead sealed in the container…preserved for a very significant use. We thus see this unknown woman deliberately breaking open the jar and anointing Jesus…a profound display of love, devotion, and reverence. However, what the disciples saw was an extravagant waste of resources. But what Jesus saw was much more…a preparation for His burial. And as the fragrance wafted up and filled the room, the disciples were indignant at the woman’s careless actions…but Jesus instead understood it as Ephesians 5:2 states, ” Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Later, when Paul gave instructions for the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper in I Corinthians 11:24, he wrote, “The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is My body, broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ ” The disciples couldn’t understand the importance of the broken jar, until they witnessed the broken body of Jesus at the crucifixion…realizing only then Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice and love for all mankind.
John 17:18 ” As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”
In this verse, Jesus is praying for His disciples before He leaves them. But just a few verses late, Jesus is now praying for all Believers when He says, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me…” (John 17:23) These two verses show the pattern in the eternal relationship of Father & Son, which is then reflected in the unity of Son & Believer. Later in John, the risen Jesus again reiterates to His followers, “As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) So why did Jesus place so much importance on evangelism & missions? The ancient Christian Theologian, Augustine, once wrote, “Life consists in fellowship with God, Who created us for Himself, so that our soul is restless unless it finds its rest in Him.” But then its, how can people call on the name of the Lord unless they’ve heard about Him…and how can they hear unless someone shares the Gospel with them…and how can they share the Good News of Jesus unless they’ve been sent? (Romans 10:14-15) It’s all rolled up in the Great Commission of “Go!”… The Father sent Jesus, in turn Jesus is now sending you.
Ephesians 5:15-16 ” Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Paul’s admonishment to the Church in Ephesus still has a powerful message for us today. We are to be cognizant of the challenges of living in an evil world…ever holding on to our moral values with grace, compassion, and forgiveness. We are to live with purpose, intention, and circumspect…using a deliberate approach to life – ever mindful of the gravity of our actions and decisions. In Matthew 10:16, as Jesus was about to send the twelve disciples out, He warned them, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” In other words, don’t be naive about the evil around you…be wise and prudent in your actions…always walking in integrity and kindness, even in the face of persecution. For God will give you “divine appointments”… those decisive moments of great importance, that you may share your faith persuasively in order that the person may be drawn to Christ.
Proverbs 16:32 ” Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.”
Another translation of this verse says, “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” So what can we glean from this? Well, for one thing, fleshly anger doesn’t bring about righteousness. (James 1:19-20) We’re also told both in Psalm 4:4 and Ephesians 4:26 that in our anger we are not to sin. When we allow our anger to spill out it’s usually because we’re not getting our way, our needs are not being met as we think they should be, or we feel out of control in a situation. But this Scripture regards patience as superior, and having self-control over our out of control angry emotions, is the righteous attitude God desires. For such a person will bring calm and sound judgment into any crisis.
Ephesians 6:17 ” Take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
It’s simple, if you’re not filling your mind with the Word of God…you’re going to show up for a battle without a weapon. The sword to ancient soldiers was both an offensive and defensive weapon to protect themselves from harm and to attack the enemy. And so in order to properly handle their sword, the soldiers were given rigid training and instruction…so that in the heat of battle, they could come out victorious. We see this type of serious wisdom in the Berean Jews, who accepted the Gospel Message in Acts 17:10-11 from Paul and Silas, but also examined the Scriptures daily to verify its truth. Thus, they were credited with a discerning nature and critical thinking…always seeking for the truth through diligent study and reflection of God’s Word. Paul also warned the young pastor Timothy to correctly handle or divide the Word of Truth by accurately interpreting and teaching the Scriptures. (II Timothy 2:15) The phrase, “The Sword Of The Spirit”, is only seen once in Scripture here…which can only magnify the importance of knowing God’s Word before we’re caught up in a battle alone and defenseless.
“Do you love Me?”
If you find reading the Bible difficult and even boring, then you’re probably reading it wrong. You’re likely to be reading it like a textbook…studying, analyzing, and scrutinizing the words, but never allowing the text to permeate your soul. However, the Bible is not a textbook, but rather a cherished love letter to be slowly and lovingly devoured in order to find the person Who wrote it inside. In John 21: 15-17, the risen Jesus asks Simon Peter this pointed question not once, not twice, but three times…causing Peter to honestly evaluate his relationship with the Lord. And in the end, Peter responses, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” When we read the Bible as a personal and endearing word to us…our love for God changes… transforming into an unconditional and sacrificial love for Him, and in turn, for others.
Psalm 37: 28 ” For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones.”
There is profound peace that comes with knowing our relationship with God is secure. That’s because, no one can take it away…and we only have to look in His Word for that reassurance. Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” And Jesus spoke these comforting words to us in John 10:28, “No one can snatch them out of My hand.” So what does this all mean? We can find peace, comfort, and hope in our ever-abiding fellowship with our loving Heavenly Father… always relying on His unwavering commitment and protective nature, knowing that we are held securely in His caring embrace.
Ezekiel 22:30 ” I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.”
Both Isaiah and Jeremiah had similar encounters with God’s Divine disappointment and heartbreak over the people’s widespread corruption, spiritual apathy, and failure to seek Him. Isaiah laments that, “You’ve hidden Your face from us because of our hardened hearts and sinfulness.” (Isaiah 64:7) And in Jeremiah 5:1 he’s challenged by God to find even one solitary soul in Jerusalem who stands in truth, righteousness, and integrity…but sadly, there is not one upright man in the city, for all are corrupt. But like all three of these prophets who meditated for the people before God…in Exodus 32:11-14, Moses stood in the breach before the Lord to keep His wrath from destroying the people, acting as both mediator & intercessor, and showing the immense power of intercessory prayer. (Psalm 106:23) That’s because, when we pray for someone and intercede on their behalf…we really have no idea the influence, significance, and spiritual clout it contains.
Matthew 11:28 ” Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Adversity, suffering, and hardship are all part of the human experience here on earth. That’s because we are a broken people, living in a very broken world. But when Jesus extends His hand and whispers, “Come to Me.” it’s up to us to make the decision to either act or ignore His invitation. If we decide to try and do it on our own without His help, we open ourselves up to anxiety, depression, and hopelessness…for we are not meant to bear the crushing burden alone. But when we respond to Jesus’ encouraging, “Come to Me.”, He will give us rest, and sustain us in peace and quietness. (Exodus 33:14)
Psalm 135:6 ” The Lord does whatever pleases Him.”
No matter how long we’ve been a Believer, we can’t fall into the spiritual apathy and complacency of “assuming” we know how God will move. Thus, we can never put God in a box…for He will blow it wide open in unexpected & unanticipated ways every time. When Jesus was teaching His disciples about the Second Coming in Mark 13:36, He used the word suddenly…as it would happen suddenly without warning. Which the disciples later experienced on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:2, when the Holy Spirit suddenly descended upon them. It was also with the same kind of suddenness that Saul (Paul) encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. (Acts 22:6) So we can never assume that God will come in a certain way…but we can look for Him to show up… as He pleases. So always leave room for God to move.
Safetypinlove 