In Mark 14, we learn that because the time for Jesus’ crucifixion drew close to, a girl got here to Him and anointed His head with an alabaster flask of valuable oil. Whereas this heartfelt act of worship provoked the disciples’ disapproval, Jesus celebrated her extravagant devotion. Within the sermon “‘A Lovely Factor,’” Alistair Begg surveys the lady’s motion, the disciples’ response, and Jesus’ commendation, serving to us to see that the one true pathway to lasting honor is to honor Christ:
The disciples are as soon as once more on the fallacious facet of the equation in terms of the values of the dominion of God. … These are those who’ve heard Jesus say, “Until you are taking up your cross and observe Me, you’ll by no means be My disciple.” … They’d heard that firsthand. They knew that that was a part of what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. And so now, within the presence of a woman who makes this extravagant gesture, as an alternative of their response being one among approval, they be a part of Judas in expressing their issues as being in one other path. …
The damaged flask, the aromatic scent testified towards their calculated pragmatism. If this girl had arrived at this home and sought the approval of this group earlier than she did what she did, she would by no means have accomplished it. There could be no report of it within the Scriptures, as a result of they might have talked her out of it. They might have talked her out of it utilizing high-sounding language about why this was an pointless factor to do, why this was a wasteful factor to do, why this was an excessive factor to do.
Now, my pricey pals and brothers and sisters, hear: The actual problem that’s contained on this passage is the problem to face ourselves in it. All of us wish to say we’re the girl, however I’ve a sneaking suspicion that many people are a part of the disciple band. We’re the pragmatists. We’re the one who’s saying, “You possibly can’t make investments all that for the dominion of God! You possibly can’t throw your life away for the Gospel!”
