Read Matthew 26:6-13. It may have been expensive. It may have been a family heirloom. But Mary’s decision to anoint Jesus with expensive perfume would have meant nothing if it was not given in love.
Mary could have made her sacrifice in expectation that Jesus would give something back to her in return. She could have poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ head because she felt guilty about something. She could have done it for attention – after all, she chose to do it in the middle of meal in someone else’s house! But love was the motivation for her giving. Jesus – who knows our deepest motivations – said so. He said that what she did was a good thing. He said that she had done it to prepare his body for burial – perhaps the most loving thing someone can do for someone else. He said that because her sacrifice was given in love, her deed would be remembered and discussed.
Today, almost 2,000 years later, it is still an example for all of us. If we don’t give out of love, then nothing we give will matter. If we give in love, then it will be remembered.
As we remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice once more, let’s pledge to give our lives away for others. As we do so in love, God and they will remember our sacrifice.
THINK IT OVER
Think about the following:
•What do others say about how you show your love to others?
