Today’s devotion covers Mark 14:3-9.
“3 While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head.
4 But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?
5 “For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her.
6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me.
7 “For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me.
8 “She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.
9 “Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”
Extravagant acts of love is the subject today. The extravagant act of love of this woman will be spoken of in memory of her. The extravagant acts of love of God will be considered. Finally, we will consider what extravagant acts of love that we may do for others.
This woman’s act of love was certainly extravagant. In the footnote to my Bible, it is stated: “The denarius was equivalent to a day’s wage.” Thus, this perfume cost almost a year’s wages. How many of us have saved a year’s wages? How many would spend a year’s wages to buy something for somebody else? How many of us would spend it on something for somebody else that could only be used once?
Consider the ultimate extravagant act of love by our Savior Jesus Christ who died for us. “For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:7-10.
Consider God’s extravagance in how He anoints us with so many blessings. God anoints us to protect us from irritations like a Good Shepherd anoints his sheep to protect them from parasites and other irritations. God anoints us with joy. God anoints us to strengthen us. God anoints us with salvation. God anoints us to establish us in union with Christ. God anoints us with the His most precious Holy Spirit. God anoints us with teachings and understandings. God anoints us so that we can truly see and understand.
“… You have anointed my head with oil; …” Psalm 23:5.
“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows.”
Psalm 45:7
“But You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil.”
Psalm 92:10
“You went forth for the salvation of Your people, For the salvation of Your anointed You struck the head of the house of the evil To lay him open from thigh to neck. Selah.”
Habakkuk 3:13
“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.’
1 John 2:20
“As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.”
1 John 2:27
“I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.”
Revelation 3:18
We can do extravagant acts of love and good deeds for others. “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,”
Hebrews 10:24
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 informs us what love is. “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of love within us. Galatians 5:22.
In summary and conclusion, “We love, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 With the rest of creation, I stand on my tip-toes to see what extravagant acts of love that you all will do for others.
“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8:19.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 