And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her sharply. But Jesus said,
"Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me." - Mark 14:3-6
Don't be shocked when people condemn you for being a Christian. Here, Mary made a beautiful and loving gesture to Jesus by anointing His head with expensive oil, but many people around her became very upset. She did an amazing thing for Jesus, but they criticized her. And who helped lead the instigation against her? According to John 12:5, it was Judas Iscariot.
Judas was the guy who knew the price of everything, but who didn't fully grasp the value of anything. He knew that the oil was worth a worker's entire year of wages, but he failed to see the value in Mary offering it as a sacrifice of love and worship to Jesus. "What a waste," he thought. And there are a lot of people like that--people who have devalued Godliness and obedience.
But Jesus stood up for Mary, saying, "Let her alone!" You see, He valued not the monetary value of the oil, but Mary's offering of extravagant love.
And today, the greatest offering of love that you can give to Jesus is your very life.
When you totally give your life over to Him and let the Holy Spirit work through you, you are showing extravagant love.
When you live a life of worshiping Him and serving Him, you are showing extravagant love.
When you are in fellowship with other believers, you are showing extravagant love.
And the devil hates when you get out of your box, out of your shell, and show this kind of reckless abandon. When you go way beyond the call of duty; when you walk up to someone and ask them, "What can we do to make life better for you," the devil absolutely hates it.
Do you grasp the significance of Jesus Christ telling every naysayer and critic who ever lived to "Back off" of His kids? Jesus loves you so much that He's saying that very thing to the devil and his henchmen right now about you:
"Leave him alone!"
"Leave her alone!"
"Leave my child alone!"
Jesus is on your side. He wants the very best for you. You're a royal priesthood belonging to God (1 Peter 2:9).
And despite what the world is telling you about what to believe and how to live your life, put your complete faith and confidence in Jesus Christ this day.
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