I OFFER YOU …
The story of the woman and her container of precious perfume has always fascinated me. In eight brief verses the Apostle John tells us of the resurrected Lazarus dining with our Lord; Mary anointing Him with an expensive fragrance; Judas lamenting that the money spent for the perfume could have been better used to provide for the poor; the gentle rebuke of our Lord and his comment that Mary’s deed would be long remembered. Her generous gift prompted me to wonder if I would ever have an opportunity
to
show my love for our Lord by giving Him something that I really cared about –
not just an ordinary offering but something that was really important to me.
It occurred to me that each of us
probably has a container of perfume, something precious to us that would cost
us something to part with. It may not be
anything of great monetary value in the worldly sense and actually is really
return of that which was given by Him.
Each of us has been given specific gifts – and each of us is
unique. Some people are gifted in music,
others in speaking. Some are gifted in
working with people and in listening to or in caring for others. Numerous people are skilled with hands, in
craftsmanship, or mechanics. Many have
been given creativity and patience and work well with children or with the
elderly. Everyone has gifts and talents
– some may be hidden, but they are there!
Whatever the gift, it forms the basis for our gift to Him by using it to
serve others for His glory.
Giving our “gift” may mean serving
someone who does not appreciate our offering.
It is fairly easy to serve a grateful person, but it is difficult to be a servant to someone who does not
appreciate our beneficence.
Think
about it. Are we willing to freely give
our container of precious perfume of time, talent, or comfort to our Lord?