Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

MONDAY MARCH 30


IT'S BEAUTIFUL!

READ:
Mark 14:6
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Jesus said, "Let her
alone. Why do you
trouble her? She
has done a good
work for Me."
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After being away on business, Terry wanted to pick up some small gifts for his children. The clerk at the airport gift shop recommended a number of costly items. "I don't have that much money with me," he said. "I need something less expensive." The clerk tried to make him feel that he was being cheap. But Terry knew his children would be happy with whatever he gave them, because it came from a heart of love. And he was right__they loved the gift he brought them.

During Jesus' last visit to the town of Bethany, Mary wanted to show her love for Him (MARK 14:3-9). So she brought "an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard" and anointed Him (v.3). The disciples asked angrily, "Why this waste?" (MATT. 26:8). Jesus told them to stop troubling her, for "she has done a good work for Me" (MARK 14:6). Another translation reads, "She has done a beautiful thing to Me." Jesus delighted in her gift, for it came from a heart of love. Even anointing Him for burial was beautiful!''What would you like to give to Jesus to show your love? Your time, talent, treasure? It doesn't matter if it's costly or inexpensive, whether others understand or criticize. Whatever is given from a heart of love is beautiful to Him. __Anne Cetas

Nothing I could give You, Father, could repay You for Your sacrifice. But I
want to give You what You would think is beautiful. I give You my heart today
in thankfulness for Your love.___________________________________________
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A healthy heart beats with love for Jesus.

***************************Today's Bible Reading Mark 14:3-9*****************************
3 And being In Bethany at the house if 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.

4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves,
and said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have
been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the
poor." And they criticized her sharply.

6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her?
She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor
with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them
good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she
could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.

9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in
the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told
as a memorial to her."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The account of the woman who anointed Jesus
with oil is preceded by the Pharisees' plot to kill Him (14:2) and
is followed by Judas agreeing to betray Him (vv.10-12). The events
relating to those who plotted to kill Jesus are given only brief
and cursory treatment (two verses each), while the account of
the woman who anointed Jesus with perfume is given a full and
detailed description (seven verses). Clearly this woman's actions
will be remembered (v.9).