#113. A beautiful thing


Recently, I read of a man who’s hobby it is to take photographs of all the different park benches around the country *1. Most benches have a plaque on them and it reminds those sitting on it that the deceased often sat in the this place to enjoy the view.    A bench is a lovely way to remember someone for a generation or two.   
In this morning’s reading Mark tells us that a lady would be remembered wherever the gospel was preached - in memory of her (9).  So why was she to be remembered? 
Let’s read -

Mark 14:1-11 NIV
_Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.” 3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. 6“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.  8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. …

This morning’s reading reminds us of 3 responses to Jesus.
Judas - who put money ahead of following Jesus.
The critics - who thought that Jesus wasn’t worth any devotion.
The woman - who gives an extravagant gift  and is devoted to Jesus.   

It’s been said that Judas gives up Jesus for money and the woman gave up money for Jesus.   
This woman gave up her most treasured possession for Jesus - what will we give up to follow Jesus?   
Sometimes we have to take some drastic action in order to devote our lives to Jesus.    I heard of one man who valued his record collection so much that he gave all his LP’s and 45’s away.  I have also heard of folk who have not sought promotion at work in order to seek more of Jesus.
Consider this morning what you might have to give up in order to devote your life to Jesus.

Much love
Tim 
*1.   Instagram.com/ratethisbench