Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from John 13:18-30.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+13&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“I do not speak of all of you.  I know the ones I have chosen;  but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’  From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.  …

When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.”  John 13:18-19 and 21.

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“Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.”  John 14:29.

“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;  but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;  and that believing you may have life in His name.”  John 20:30-31.

God is almighty, all knowing, and does not lie, and so we can trust the promises of God. 

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken;  truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:9-11.

In other words, from the beginning, God declared what the ending would be. 

God “… chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.”   Ephesians 1:4.   And, from the beginning, God chose the means (Christ and His sacrificial death) by which He would accomplish his purpose.

“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 3:11.

“…  His works were finished from the foundation of the world.”  Hebrews 4:3.

“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.”  And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.  For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.  In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.  This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”  Hebrews 6:13-19.

Today’s devotion comes from John 13:5-11.

“Then He *poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.  So He *came to Simon Peter. He *said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?”  Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.”  Peter *said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!”  Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”  Simon Peter *said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.”  Jesus *said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean;  and you are clean, but not all of you.”  For He knew the one who was betraying Him;  for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”  John 13:5-11.

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“He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean”.

We are “completely clean” in the sense of that Christ has bathed us, so that we have “no spot or wrinkle or any such thing” and are “holy and blameless”.

“… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27.

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14.

We still need our feet washed in the sense that although we have been bathed and are a slave to righteousness and do not practice sin (Romans 6:17-23 and 1 John 3:7-10), we still do sin.  Our feet still walk in a dirty world so to speak.  We need to confess our sins, and we need forgiveness of our sins and cleansing from all unrighteousness.

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:8-9.

“How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!
2 How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit!

3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.  Selah.
5 I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”;
And You forgave the guilt of my sin.  Selah.”  Psalm 32:1-5.

Other doctrine teaches that it is up to man’s alleged free-will to repent, to wash his own feet so to speak.

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  Christ is the One Who grants repentance and Who washes our feet.

Article 3.  By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength.  But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.

Article 4.  Although the weakness of the flesh cannot prevail against the power of God, who confirms and preserves true believers in a state of grace, yet converts are not always so influenced and actuated by the Spirit of God, as not in some particular instances sinfully to deviate from the guidance of divine grace, so as to be seduced by, and to comply with the lusts of the flesh;  they must, therefore, be constant in watching and in prayer, that they be not led into temptation.  When these are neglected, they are not only liable to be drawn into great and heinous sins, by Satan, the world and the flesh, but sometimes by the righteous permission of God actually fall into these evils.  This, the lamentable fall of David, Peter, and other saints described in Holy Scripture, demonstrates.

Article 5.  By such enormous sins, however, they very highly offend God, incur a deadly guilt, grieve the Holy Spirit, interrupt the exercise of faith, very grievously wound their consciences, and sometimes lose the sense of God’s favor, for a time, until on their returning into the right way of serious repentance, the light of God’s fatherly countenance again shines upon them.

Article 6.  But God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election, does not wholly withdraw the Holy Spirit from his own people, even in their melancholy falls;  nor suffers them to proceed so far as to lose the grace of adoption, and forfeit the state of justification, or to commit sins unto death;  nor does he permit them to be totally deserted, and to plunge themselves into everlasting destruction.

Article 7.  For in the first place, in these falls he preserves them in the incorruptible seed of regeneration from perishing, or being totally lost;  and again, by his Word and Spirit, certainly and effectually renews them to repentance, to a sincere and godly sorrow for their sins, that they may seek and obtain remission in the blood of the Mediator, may again experience the favor of a reconciled God, through faith adore his mercies, and henceforward more diligently work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

Article 8.  Thus, it is not in consequence of their own merits, or strength, but of God’s free mercy, that they do not totally fall from faith and grace, nor continue and perish finally in their backslidings;  which, with respect to themselves, is not only possible, but would undoubtedly happen;  but with respect to God, it is utterly impossible, since his counsel cannot be changed, nor his promise fail, neither can the call according to his purpose be revoked, nor the merit, intercession and preservation of Christ be rendered ineffectual, nor the sealing of the Holy Spirit be frustrated or obliterated.

Article 9.  Of this preservation of the elect to salvation, and of their perseverance in the faith, true believers for themselves may and ought to obtain assurance according to the measure of their faith, whereby they arrive at the certain persuasion, that they ever will continue true and living members of the church;  and that they experience forgiveness of sins, and will at last inherit eternal life.  FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE
Of the Perseverance of the Saints of Canons of Dordt.

“He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”  Acts 5:31.

Today’s devotion comes from John 13:1-4.

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.  During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, *got up from supper, and *laid aside His garments;  and taking a towel, He girded Himself.”  John 13:1-4.

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As Jesus “laid aside His garments”, let us “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us”.

As Jesus “girded Himself”, let us gird ourselves with truth.

As Jesus knew that He had come forth from God and that He was going back to God, let us live our lives knowing that we have “so great cloud of witnesses surrounding us”, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith”, and waiting “for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2.

“Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;  in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Ephesians 6:14-17.

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”  1 Peter 1:3.  (KJV).

The hope that we have is “a living hope” based on what God has done for us.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

Today’s devotion comes from John 12:44-50.

“And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me.  He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me.  I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.  If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him;  for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.  He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him;  the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.  For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.  I know that His commandment is eternal life;  therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”  John 12:44-50.

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We will focus on Jesus’ statement:  “I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”  John 3:17.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.  He who believes in Him is not judged;  he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.  For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”  John 3:16-21.

Other doctrine is pleased to show its deeds and its choice of Christ which it proudly claims is all accomplished by its alleged free-will.

But, Reformed Doctrine is pleased to show its deeds and its position in Christ which it humbly states that Scripture shows was all accomplished by God “as having been wrought in God”.  “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8.

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  Colossians 1:13-14.

“For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One (Christ) the many will be made righteous.”  Romans 5:9.

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14.

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

Today’s devotion comes from John 12:37-43.

“But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him.  This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke:  “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?  AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE REVEALED?”  For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, “HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM.”  These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him.  Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue;  for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.”  John 12:37-43.

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Why does God blind eyes and harden hearts?  This is the theme of today’s devotion even though we cannot fully understand why God does it and we can only provide a few Scriptures and a few points to consider.

“8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”  Then I said, “Here am I.  Send me!”  9 He said, “Go, and tell this people:

‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive;
Keep on looking, but do not understand.’
10 “Render the hearts of this people insensitive,
Their ears dull,
And their eyes dim,
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
Understand with their hearts,
And return and be healed.”  Isaiah 6:8-10.

“And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.”  Luke 8:10.

Other doctrine denies or skips over these and similar Scriptures.

But, Reformed Doctrine admits and studies similar Scriptures “without vainly attempting to investigate the secret ways of the Most High.” in Article 14 of  FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination of Canons of Dordt.

Other doctrine foolishly and futilely tries to elevate man’s alleged free-will over God’s power and authority.

“Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”  Psalm 2:3.

But, Reformed Doctrine exalts in God’s sovereign almighty power and authority.  “And this is the decree of reprobation which by no means makes God the author of sin (the very thought of which is blasphemy), but declares him to be an awful, irreprehensible, and righteous judge and avenger thereof.” in Article 15 of  FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination of Canons of Dordt.

“So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault?  For who resists His will?”  On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God?  The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?  Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?  What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”  Romans 9:18-23.

Considering man’s “Total Depravity”, the better question is why does God enlighten ANY eyes and soften ANY hearts? 

Article 1.  As all men have sinned in Adam, lie under the curse, and are deserving of eternal death, God would have done no injustice by leaving them all to perish, and delivering them over to condemnation on account of sin, according to the words of the apostle, Romans 3:19, “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”  And verse 23:  “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  And Romans 6:23:  “for the wages of sin is death.”  FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination of Canons of Dordt.  

But, God has graciously chosen to save some, namely His elect, vessels of His mercy.

Article 11.  But when God accomplishes his good pleasure in the elect, or works in them true conversion, he not only causes the gospel to be externally preached to them, and powerfully illumines their minds by his Holy Spirit, that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God;  but by the efficacy of the same regenerating Spirit, pervades the inmost recesses of the man;  he opens the closed, and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which was uncircumcised, infuses new qualities into the will, which though heretofore dead, he quickens;   from being evil, disobedient and refractory, he renders it good, obedient, and pliable;  actuates and strengthens it, that like a good tree, it may bring forth the fruits of good actions.  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof of Canons of Dordt.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

Today’s devotion comes from John 12:20-26.

“Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast;  these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”  Philip *came and *told Andrew;  Andrew and Philip *came and *told Jesus.  And Jesus *answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone;  but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.  If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me;  and where I am, there My servant will be also;  if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”  John 12:20-26.

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“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone;  but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.”  Verses 24-25.

Who wants to die?!  Who wants to lose his life?!  Who wants to hate his life?!

These are difficult statements upon which to meditate.  But, there are Scriptures that can help us understand these statements by Jesus.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”  Romans 7:4.

“For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:19-21.

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;  for he who has died is freed from sin.”  Romans 6:4-7.

“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”  Galatians 5:24.

“But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”  Romans 7:6.

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:25.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”  Galatians 6:8.

Today’s devotion comes from John 12:9-19.

“The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there;  and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead.  But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also;  because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.

On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “HOSANNA!  BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel.”  Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it;  as it is written, “FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION;  BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY’S COLT.”  These things His disciples did not understand at the first;  but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.  So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him.  For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign.  So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are not doing any good;  look, the world has gone after Him.”  John 12:9-19.

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“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
He is just and endowed with salvation,
Humble, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”  Zechariah 9:9.

There were three signs for the Jews mentioned in today’s Scripture, namely, that Jesus was mounted on a donkey’s colt, that there was such a joyous reception of Jesus by the crowd, and that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

But, God’s elect “Shout in triumph”, not because there were such signs, but rather, because God chose them, the elect, for salvation and that Jesus was endowed with salvation to save each one of them, God’s elect.

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.  Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”  Luke 10:19-20.

“For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;  but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:22-24.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.  It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13-15.

Today’s devotion comes from John 12:1-8.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://reformeddoctrine.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=16978&action=edit

“Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair;  and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, *said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?”  Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.  Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial.  For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”  John 12:3-8.

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Jesus was on a mission “to die for the nation” and others.  See John 11:51-52.

Mary’s extravagant act of pouring very costly perfume on Jesus encouraged Jesus to continue going forward with this mission.  Mary’s act honored Jesus, Jesus’ mission, and prepared Jesus’ body for burial, all with the effect of filling the room with the exclamation that there would be glory and overpowering sweet fragrance of life even in Jesus’ death.

In contrast, we remember Peter’s words which discouraged Jesus to continue going forward with this mission.  “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord!  This shall never happen to You.”  Matthew 16:22.

But, notice the sharpness of Jesus’ response to Peter.  But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!  You are a stumbling block to Me;  for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”  Matthew 16:23.

Are we going to be a stepping stone like Mary or a stumbling block like Peter?

Does our action fill the room with the fragrance of encouragement or does our action take the wind out of the sails? 

There are all kinds of different good things that we can do.  But, there is only one best thing for each of us to do.  If we get distracted and spend too much of our time and energy on all kinds of different good things that we can do, then the best thing that only we can and should do may not get done. 

It is so easy to drift away from our mission.  It is so important to stay focused, devoted, and stay on track to what is best.  We must set our mind on God’s interests, not man’s interests.

“For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

But, there is hope!

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.