'...she poured it on Jesus' feet...' John 12:3 NIV
The Bible says, 'Mary took...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. But one of his disciples...objected, Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?...' (John 12:3-5 NIV) When it came to worship, Mary ignored any feelings of self consciousness and filled the house with the fragrance of her praise. And Jesus accepted it! There's a lesson here. Put aside your preconceived notions, your self-consciousness and concern over what others think, and pour out your heart in worship. Join the Psalmist: '...my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands.' (Psalm 63:3-4 NIV) When people try to intimidate and silence you, don't let them. When they tried it with Jesus, He rebuked them and said, '...if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.' (Luke 19:40 NIV) You can never worship God too exuberantly, for God knows-even if your critics don't-that the rocks will cry out. Nothing builds intimacy like words of love and appreciation. There will always be a Judas around who'll say, 'What a waste!' When you take time to stand and bathe your soul in the presence of God, they will say, 'What a waste of time; what a waste of effort.' That's because they don't understand two things: what God saved and delivered you from; and that worship is how you enter, how you enjoy, and how you thrive in the presence of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment