Extravagant Love

N.T.#424 "Extravagant Love"

Nov. 15, 2024 

Mark 14-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Across the road at our farmhouse grows wild honeysuckle. When you pass by it, you know it is there, because of its sweet fragrance. As a kid, I would pick the yellow flower and take the insides out in order to get one drop of the sweet oil inside it. The roots are woodsy and hard to get rid of when there becomes too much, for it grows wild alright. 

Today we read of a plant in the same family-spikenard. This oil is taken from the roots of the plant, which has a purple flower. It promotes feelings of calmness and relaxation. Also, the spikenard was used as an incense offering in the Jerusalem Temple. Join me as Jesus encountered this spikenard.

The setting of this occurrence took place at the home of Simon the leper. Now a leper was an outcast in the Jewish society, so he was probably miraculously cleansed of his leprosy by Jesus. Simon may have planned this meal for Jesus in gratitude. This man is mentioned in the NT only in connection with this narrative. (MacArthur)

Simon hosted a banquet and Jesus attended with His disciples and friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Most likely he was cured of the disease or no one would have come to his place for dinner. According to Luke 7, the host was a Pharisee in terms of his theology and politics. 

Back in those days, guests reclined at a low table. (They didn't sit in chairs at a high table.) They lay around a low table with the left elbow propped with a cushion for support. They ate facing the table with their feet angled away from the food. (Swindoll)

What a nice relaxing time for the Savior to visit with His friends. Jesus was loved His friends and they loved Him. Kindness, respect, and honor was shown to the Son of man and Son of God.  Although the cross was approaching quickly, Jesus freely conversed with His friends as usual.

Isn't it refreshing to have a meal with our loved ones. Do we take time to sit and converse with our Savior? What precious memories we have of those special times.

LET IT GROW 

Something unusual happened at the dinner party. An extraordinary act of love and respect was paid to Jesus. Mary demonstrated her love and devotion to the Lord by breaking open a vase or vial of costly perfumed oil. According to John 12, Mary anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. 

According to Mark, Mary broke her alabaster box of ointment of spikenard, whcih was very precious. She then poured it on Jesus' head. The expensive perfume was costly and so was her worship. (This perfume had been imported from the Himalayas or India.)

The aroma overtook the room and drew criticism from onlookers. Those who focused on the monetary value of the perfume criticized Mary's act of anointing Jesus' body to the burial coming.(verses 4-8) Mary had spiritual discernment, which was sadly lacking with others. She let the Lord Jesus know that she understood the cross was soon for Him. then Jesus praised her devotion as a good deed and to signal the coming of His own death.

Centuries later, the Holy spirit fills our hearts with its sweetness. Have we broken our alabaster box upon Jesus so that there might be a fragrance in our lives and become a blessing to others? Are we doing all that we can to help others? (J. Vernon McGee)

May we do something extravagantly for You, Jesus.

LET IT GO 

Help us give our all to You, precious Jesus, for You gave your all for us.

May we love others as ourself and love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Holy Spirit, direct us today to those in need of Your love and forgiveness.