This is the fifth of five devotions with the theme of
"Our Love For God"
THE PERFUME
by
Rebecca Cooley
(Adapted from John 12:1-11)
Jesus and his disciples were invited to a dinner in honor of Jesus at Mary, Martha and Lazarus’ home. After dinner they sat around the table talking. It must have been a solemn occasion in light of the controversy and friction in the air. The Pharisees and leaders were distraught and agitated. They were not only seeking to kill Jesus, they also wanted to kill Lazarus. Lazarus had become a threat after he was raised from the dead. Many people had turned toward Jesus because of this latest miracle. Let’s go around the table with these intimate friends and imagine the scene.
Dinner is over. The light from the candles illumes every face. Voices are low and solemn. Mary sits close to Jesus. Her heart is touched with His every word. The conversation may be about upcoming events. Whatever their discussion, Mary must be feeling the pain in the truth of what is being said. She slips away from the table and goes to her room. She is looking for her most precious possession. She returns with a sealed alabaster jar of expensive perfume. Grasping the alabaster jar in both hands and looking into the eyes of the Messiah, she kneels down in front of Him and breaks it and pours the perfume over His feet. She slowly lets down her hair and in total abandonment begins to lavish the sweet perfume over his feet.
The aroma filled the house leading everyone into the sweet worship of Mary’s act of kindness. Every sense must have been focused at the feet of Jesus taking in the essence of that moment. Although no one was probably saying a word, their thoughts may have been, “I believe in You, Lord.” “I worship You, Master.” “You have truly been sent by God.” “You are the Redeemer of Israel.” “You are the Messiah we have been waiting for.” “You are my King and my God.” “You are the Lamb of God.”
Judas’ voice breaks the silence and the worship. “That perfume is worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”
Actually Judas didn’t care about the poor. He cared about the money.
Lord, I don’t want to have the voice of Judas. Forgive me for quenching worship at times by having thoughts like Judas. It is not about money. It is not about the cost of something. It is not about how much I can get done or how much credit I will get. It’s about You Lord. It’s all about You. I want the heart of Mary. In sweet abandon, I want to lavish my most precious possession on You. I want to hear Your words and Your thoughts. I want to worship at Your feet and give You all that I have. You can have my money. I don’t need money. You can have my stuff. I don’t need stuff. You can have my time. I don’t need time. I just want You. I want what You want Lord. I am broken and spilled out for You Lord.
© LoveWalkPublishing
Recitation authored by RebeccaAnnCooley
All Rights Reserved
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BROKEN AND SPILLED OUT
Devotion: The Perfume
(Adapted from John 12:1-11)
Broken and spilled out
Just for love of You Jesus
My most precious possession
Lavished on me
Broken and spilled out
Poured at your feet
In sweet abandon
Let me spilled out
And used up for Thee
BrokenAndSpilledOut Author
Gloria Gaither © 1984 Gaither Music Company and Yellow House Music
Recitation By RebeccaAnnCooley © LoveWalkPublishing
All Rights Reserved
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