Bible

[excel]

July 27, 2001
Appreciated
Read: Matthew 26:6-13
What this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her. —Matthew
26:13 Matthew 26
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While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper,

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a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume,
which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
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When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they
asked.
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"This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to
the poor."
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Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She
has done a beautiful thing to me.
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The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
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When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for
burial.
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I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the
world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
The heroes and heroines of the Bible often take us by surprise. The woman
in today's Scripture reading is a prime example. She was singled out by
Jesus to be mentioned wherever the gospel is preached. She had
scandalized some of those dining with Jesus by her breathtaking
generosity. In anticipating Jesus' death, she had anointed Him with
costly perfume that was worth more than a year's wages.
"Why this waste?" asked those at the table who expressed a concern for
the poor. Had these same people been attending Jesus' funeral rather than
a dinner with Him, I believe they would have reacted differently. Yet,
when this woman showed Him her lavish love while He was alive, she was
severely criticized for such waste.
We can learn a valuable lesson from the devotion of this woman. We need
to break out our best perfumes for the living. Yet all too often we wait
until someone dies to show the appreciation that we are reluctant to show
in life.
Is there someone who comes to your mind, a friend or family member, who
would be honored and encouraged by an expression of your love and
appreciation? Then do something to show it—while the person is still
alive! —HWR
Give praise to people young and old,
Encourage them while they are near;
For when they've gone to their reward,
Your loudest praise they will not hear. —D. De Haan

Don't put off until tomorrow the loving words you can say today.

Excel - Greg