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GIVING YOU BEST TO GOD 

(John 12:1-19—Ps Paw Liang)



Entering Jerusalem, Jesus knew what He will be facing. He was troubled yet He continue to be obedient to fulfill the mission (14:27-28). He gave His best! He gave His life to God.
Likewise in this scene we see this devoted family, giving their best to Jesus.
Despite the threats by the religious leaders who seek to kill Jesus, Mary, Martha and Lazarus welcome Jesus to their house. In the room there were Jesus’ disciples’, guests, and the hosts. People seeking Jesus with different motives and for different purposes. The disciples perhaps hoping one day, they, too, would become rabbis. The guests might be curious after seeing Lazarus resurrected from death and quietly hoping to gain some benefit from Jesus. For the hosts, their hearts were full with gratitude. Jesus indeed their Saviour.
Try to identify, which one would be closer to you?
Each one of the siblings gave their best according to their gifts and abilities. They made a perfect team: Martha serving the meal, Lazarus with the gift of companionship and sitting next to Jesus as a witness: Jesus is the Lord over death! (11:25). Mary welcome Jesus, washing Jesus’ feet with her perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.
All begins with a devoted heart. Get a closer look at Mary! She could have just use water and cloth to serve Jesus. Yet, nothing would be too expensive for her to give to Jesus. Her heart was full of adoration, thinking of ways how she could please Jesus. What’s your “defining moment” that you think all you have, all you are, you owe it all to God? Like the Apostle Paul, What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. (Phil 3:8)
Mary brought out All her perfume, the whole pound without reserve! She wasn’t threatened by Judas’s warning or what others might think! She didn’t care how much the perfume would cost! Neither she cared about her reputation!
Would you like Mary, bring all you are, all you have: your power, wealth, ability, influence, popularity . . . And give it to Jesus?
And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume . . . (3). Mary focused on Jesus and didn’t care what would come out from her action. Real faith is always influential. When our life is one with Christ, the Spirit of God dwells in every gracious words, godly thoughts, and actions! The name of Jesus is a drop of perfume that permeate the whole room. What can you do if you’re one with Christ?
One in Christ in your marriage, in your home! Your service to your family, is your service to God! Have the fragrance of our service to Jesus Christ filled in our home . . .? What can I do better . . .?
One in Christ in your work place, your church, your community. Your service to your community, your church is your service to God! Have the fragrance of our service to Jesus Christ filled your office . . .? What can I do better . . .
May God grant us the devotion of Mary! We give the Lord all we are without reserve! May the Lord be please with our service, our life and use the little drops we have for His glory, and to fill the our home, our church, our community, our society with the fragrance of Christ!

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