“While He was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over His head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. ’What a waste!’ they said. ‘It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.’” (Matthew 26:7-8 NLT)
Waste is relative. What to many who have plenty is “scraps for the dogs” or “garbage,” is a tasty and satisfying meal for someone who is hungry. There are life lessons in the teachings of Jesus that are missed if we’re not attentive. To “waste” an expensive jar of perfume by pouring it over the head of the Savior was incomprehensible to the disciples’, not to mention what the others in that room were thinking. But to Jesus it was a sacrifice worthy of note, a sacred act of worship, an act He appreciated and valued.
Worship is the language of heaven and until we learn to speak it, we’ll never understand what honors our Savior. The earth is tuned to the frequency of heaven and is at the Master’s beck and call. We wonder why a storm “suddenly” arises or a volcano after centuries “suddenly” decides to erupt. What if we thought of storms or displays of earth’s power as “acts of worship” to their Creator.
What if rather than sudden occurrences they were right on God’s schedule for sinful, disobedient earth residents? What if the things we view as “catastrophes,” are God’s efforts to warn us of what’s to come, not just on earth, but beyond. When we read the Old Testament accounts of battles and the destruction of whole cities, wiped out never to be rebuilt, we wonder why God would allow that, in some instances even promote that.
Could it be God has a different view of what’s of value and what isn’t? Could it be that what we deem valuable isn’t worth much in God’s sight? Often after a disaster, survivors will say things like: “I hate that I lost everything, but I’m just glad to be alive.” Am I saying that everyone who is killed in a natural disaster is being judged by God?
Not at all. I’m simply saying one day the end will come and the earth will be no more and, in that moment, the ONLY thing that will matter is: “Do I know Jesus!” We often kid about not being able to take material things with us when we die, but in the meantime, we sell our soul to accumulate more. One day the whole earth will lie in ruins. Billions of people will lose their lives in a single day, never again given an opportunity to yield their lives and allegiance to the Lord. And the fact is, that could be today!
Are you ready for that day? And please don’t insult me by saying I’m trying to scare you. If it were only that easy. The truth is, I’m trying to awaken you to reality! God has given us picture after picture of what’s coming, but rather than wake up, we simply feel sorry for those who are affected by that “tragedy,” and go on about our day with our lives unchanged.
One day the Lord is going to paint our face into that picture; one day every man, woman, and child on earth will be swept away in a heavenly “tsunami” that will end life on this planet. We, each one, will stand before a holy God to give an account of our life. There will be no opportunity for “do-overs,” however we’ve lived our life, we will face eternity on that basis.
“God should warn us!” is the cry of many, but that’s what He’s been doing for centuries. When will we realize each “natural disaster” is God’s call to repentance, to turn from our sin, selfishness, and stubbornness and find wholeness, peace, and forgiveness in the extravagance of His costly love.
What lies ahead? That depends…on you!
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 