I wasn’t sure what was happening. Nervously, I paced the floor and tried to stay calm despite the combination of excitement, nervousness, and anxiety in the air. There was music playing on the radio, flowers on a table, and members of my extended family watching television. The wait was becoming excruciatingly long.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. A man in a lab coat walked into the room and proceeded to let my wife know the results of the test. It was positive—Jennifer had officially gone into labor. The doctor then turned and asked me, “Are you ready to have a child today?”
I didn’t know what to say. I turned and looked at the clock, which read 12:30 AM. And then it hit me: Today is April 11, 2002. It’s my birthday. And I’m possibly going to be sharing it with my child? This is not happening . . .
Well, it did happen, albeit fourteen hours later, when Rebecca came into the world. Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled at first about having to share my special day with my soon-to-be daughter. Yet over time, that selfish attitude has morphed into one of thankfulness and gratitude. For when I see Rebecca or receive a hug or picture from her, I’m reminded of that afternoon in April when God presented me with a memorable gift.
There’s a fascinating story found near the end of the book of Mark involving another unforgettable gift. In the town of Bethany, a man named Simon the Leper had invited Jesus and his disciples to pay him a visit. While inside the home, a woman approached Jesus with an alabaster jar of perfume, broke it, and poured it on his head. The disciples were not happy about this and weren’t afraid to let him know their feelings: “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” (Mark 14:5-6 [NIV]) The act was simply over-the-top for them.
To put this into perspective, the woman didn’t grab a bottle of $4 perfume from the counter and drip it on Jesus’ head. Instead, she went all out. She pulled out the bottle of perfume that was worth $50,000 and used that! In addition, the container that was holding the perfume was made of a very expensive substance known as alabaster. And the woman broke the jar before releasing the perfume. So we have extravagance upon extravagance. She knew that she wasn’t going to get any of the perfume back or be able to sell the jar for a profit. Once she started, there was no turning back.
The disciples had never seen (or smelled) such an incredible display of love expressed to Jesus. But instead of getting chills down their spines, they proceeded to attack the woman’s actions. “Hey Jesus, that’s the biggest waste of possessions we’ve ever seen! We could’ve taken that jar with the perfume in it, sold it for $50,000 or more, and then given it to those in true need. Woman, what were you thinking?” (It’s ironic that the disciples were getting on someone for a display of love and affection remotely similar to theirs [forsaking all their livelihood and following a guy claiming to be God’s son].)
Jesus, drenched in perfume, looked at the disciples and basically told them to back off. They didn’t have the right perspective. It wasn’t going to be long before he would be arrested, beaten, and killed. The disciples were, in effect, acting selfish and attempting to stand in the way of what Jesus called “a beautiful thing” Mark 14:6 [NIV]). Their concern about the poor is valid, but there will always be people in need around the world, whether it involves food, clothing, shelter, drinkable water, or all four. And we should help them as we have the resources and time to do so.
But in this case, Jesus was impacted by the woman’s gift. He ends the conversation with a powerful line: “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Mark 14:9 [NIV]). And this verse would prove to be completely insignificant if not for Matthew and Mark. For it turns out that both accounts were written approximately twenty years after Jesus’ death and resurrection from the dead. This gift was so memorable to them that they remembered to include it in their accounts! As a result, we can learn from the extravagance of the woman two millennia later.
Jesus stated that we are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (see Mark 12:30). Doing such a thing may look as folly to the world (and possibly to those who know Jesus as Forgiver and Leader). But when you truly love someone, you do whatever it takes to make sure they receive the love you provide. You show them thankfulness and gratitude. And that’s what made the woman’s actions so memorable.
What is a memorable gift you’ve received? Why is it memorable to you? Did anyone think or feel otherwise when you told them about it? What was your reaction? What are some ways you can show God thankfulness and gratitude for all he’s done for you and those around you?
I pray that God would reveal something wonderful to you today. And as he refreshes you, may you, in turn, refresh others.
“[A]ll Christ wants is what we have the ability and opportunity to do. He asks no impossibilities of us.”
--JR Miller
“I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.”
--Psalm 89:1 (NIV)
All material copyright 2006 J. Alan Sharrer. No part of this email may be reproduced—other than the forwarding of the original, unaltered email message—without express written permission.
