How would you respond to being in the room with the most important person in history?
As we head toward remembering the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we see two very different responses to being with Jesus in Matthew 26.
The first response is that of the woman who anointed the head of Jesus with very expensive perfume. This was an offering by this woman given to her Savior.
The value of this perfume was almost a year’s wages. The median salary today is nearly $62,000.
Think of that. This woman just poured out this oil as an act of worship for Jesus.
Some of the disciples were, of course, flabbergasted by this exorbitant offering. They were thinking in an earthly sense. But this woman was aware that nothing was too valuable, nothing was too costly to give up or pour out for Jesus.
And Jesus said…
“In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” — Matthew 26:12-13
This is an amazing response of worship.
A Different Response
Then, of course, in the next verses of Matthew 26, we see Judas Iscariot. One of Jesus’ 12 Disciples. He’d seen Jesus perform miracles, had seen Jesus’ sinless life, and had heard the claims Jesus had made about Himself.
And Judas responds to all of that: “What can I get out of this?” How can I seize this opportunity for myself? How can I take control and gain something from being around Jesus?
And Judas goes to the religious leaders and makes a plan to betray Jesus for a measly 30 coins.
In Matthew 26, we see two different people who had been around Jesus give two very different responses.
So let me ask you? Do you see your life, your possessions, your wealth, or your very life as something to be laid at the feet of Jesus, because nothing is too valuable to be given up for Him? That is a life of worship.
Or you’re looking for how this Jesus guy can get you ahead in life. What can I get from Him? How can I seize an opportunity or gain an advantage for myself?
How will you respond to Jesus?
Reflection Questions for Today
1. How would you respond if Jesus were in the room with you right now?
2. How does the woman’s costly offering to Jesus change the way you see your worship of Jesus?
3. Have you ever responded to Jesus in a similar way to Judas? How can you shift your response to be more like the woman’s?
Posted in A Word from the Pastor