“She poured (expensive perfume) on Jesus feet.” John 12:3 NIV
“The extravagance of God’s grace requires the extravagant response of one’s life.”
My thoughts today are about “extravagance.”
Some people live life “on the cheap;” they horde possessions and squeeze every penny. What they get, they have; what they have, they hold – tightly – until what they own soon owns them. They would be “saving for a rainy day” even in an extended drought. They are tight-lipped with their appreciation and praise, and tight-fisted with what is theirs. Oh yes, they are also quite unhappy, and predictably lonely. Having a lot does not make you happy; sharing does.
In contrast, there are those who are lavish – mainly lavishing themselves with anything that everything that amuses or entertains, not so much on others. I suggest you can differentiate between people who are lavish and folk who are extravagant. A lavish lifestyle best describes what a person is financially capable of doing and providing for themselves, whereas an extravagant lifestyle better describes unrestrained generosity that benefits others. I am not sure that Mr. Webster would concur with my distinction, but I think there is some shade of differentiation, or should be!
Jesus was of modest means, yet extravagance would best describe His life (and death). He exemplified the height of selflessness and sacrifice. All He did was for others. John records an example of extravagance at Lazarus’ home in Bethany where Jesus was often a guest. Read John 12:1-6. Earlier, Lazarus had become sick and soon died. Jesus came at Mary and Martha’s invitation and miraculously restored their brother to life.
It was the custom for a servant to wash the feet of guests as they arrived, and this most likely was done. For Mary what was customary was not nearly enough. Mary could not restrain her love and gratitude for the extravagant grace shown her family. Such extravagance of grace should be responded to extravagantly. Listen to John’s description of the occasion, “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3 NIV.
Note the result: her extravagance produced a fragrance that filled the house. Her act of unrestrained love had an influence on all who witnessed. I want my life to have the fragrance of a lifetime poured out for Jesus. May you be able to say with Paul, “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near . . and now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness that the Lord will give . .” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT.
Have you wanted to pour your life out for others as an act of gratitude for all that God and others have so generously done for you? My dear friend, Des, often reminds me that “It isn’t ministry unless it costs you something.” I know few people as selfless and sacrificial as my friend. Here is the way to a satisfied life; “Be imitators of God . . and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2 NIV.
My prayer for you today is that you learn the joy of generosity, just as you have received.