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Dec 21, 2022 18:30pm

Extraordinary

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Has anything extraordinary ever happened in your life? Something remarkable and unique and just for you. Perhaps you received an award or position you were not expecting. Maybe you had an open door or an opportunity to do something incredible! Or…

The list could go on and on, but the bottom line is, anything extraordinary is extra ordinary, it’s beyond the normal, it’s unique and special. It’s truly remarkable!

Several men and women sat around a table to dine, but one person did an extraordinary thing and to this day is remembered for it.

“Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.” (Matthew 26:6-13)

Out of all the people there sitting with Jesus, one woman got up and did an extraordinary thing. She anointed His head. This was a symbol of her recognizing just who Jesus was – the Messiah, the Lord, the Holy One. And to make it even more remarkable, she used an expensive perfume to do so. The disciples murmured and complained that she would be so wasteful when there were so many poor people that could have helped, but Jesus rebuked them.

Why?

Didn’t Jesus say we are to help and serve the poor?

Because Mary gave up doing something good for doing what was best.

She knew that nothing was too good for her Lord. To her, the perfume was precious, and what better way to use it than on God Himself! Her humble act was so great that Jesus said she would be remembered for it. She may not have realized the magnitude of her offering and action, but Jesus did.

Several times before, He remarked that the time would come and He would be crucified. And here Mary anoints his head with perfume, a preparation for burial. The time was drawing near. Those that loved Jesus the most were gathered here, but only one worshipped Him with such a tremendous offering.

How can we serve Jesus and honor Him in such a remarkable way? What can we do that would be so great of a service?

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

When we obey the Lord’s commands, we glorify Him. How can you do that today? Let us be mindful of opportunities to share the name of Jesus, to give to further His kingdom, and to live in the sacrificial way He demonstrated. Because nothing is too good for our Lord! May we pour out everything we have in order to glorify and honor Him!