Thursday February 17, 2022

Today is Thursday, February 17 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about counting the costs.

As I enter a time of solitude with God, I slow my breathing and silence a constant stream of distracting thoughts. I endeavor to focus my whole being upon God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Precious Lord, you are always with me even though I am often unaware of your abiding presence. Teach me how to pray, to not only speak but also to listen. Show me what it means to count the costs of living a life of deeper discipleship and service in your kingdom. Amen.

My heart cries out in praise to the Lord my God with the words of Psalm 51.

Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:15-17

Pause and Pray

It is two days before the Passover when Jesus will be handed over to be crucified. The chief priests and elders assembled at the home of the high priest, Caiaphas. They plotted to arrest Jesus and kill him. During this last week Jesus spent time in one of his favorite places, Bethany, a village just two miles east of Jerusalem. Soon to be betrayed by one of his disciples for thirty pieces of silver, an unnamed woman lavished upon Jesus’ head an expensive ointment from an alabaster jar. Alabaster was a hard stone commonly found in Israel resembling white marble. Ointment, oils, and perfumes were put in vessels made of alabaster to keep them pure and unspoiled. The boxes were often sealed with wax to prevent the perfume from escaping. The woman’s gift to Jesus was extravagant and expensive. Mark says she poured out the equivalent to one year’s wages (Mark 14:5). Did she “count the cost” of her gift?

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26:6-13

Where am I in this story? Perhaps I am Simon the Leper and I invited Jesus to my home. Maybe I am one of the disciples reclining with Jesus at the table, indignant at the waste of money. Maybe I am the woman holding my expensive jar of perfume. The costly ointment would have engulfed Simon’s home with a pungent smell. I consider what the alabaster jar represents for me? What do I possess that is of great value that I could give to Jesus? I count the costs of my gift. I take inventory of everything I own, my home, my car, my furniture, jewelry, food and clothing. I make an account of my gifts and abilities. I possess time, money and energy. I have education and experience. I have my very life. My mind, my heart, and my soul. I see myself before my Lord Jesus. I stand while he reclines at the table. I pour it out, everything. I proclaim to all that he is the Messiah, the anointed one of God, crucified, dead, buried and risen from the grave. My crucified and risen Lord. Like a libation, I pour myself out at the foot of the cross in love and service to him.

Ask: What do I consider too costly to pour out as an offering to Christ? What is the alabaster jar that I need to break open?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, thank you for pouring out your life on the cross for the redemption of my soul. I count the costs of giving my life to you and I declare I am ready to pour myself out. I offer myself a living sacrifice on the altar of grace in union with your sacrifice for me. Show me what it means to pour myself out in love for you and others and reveal the places where I hold back giving my gift freely. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26:6-13

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I believe God desires to speak to me through the words of scripture and I affirm my desire to listen. I am ready to hear what God wants to say today. I consider the emotions this passage evokes in me – perhaps I have a generous spirit, overflowing with love and gratitude. Maybe my soul feels constrained, resentful or miserly. Not wanting to give anymore to God than I already have. I consider whether God wants me to break open something I have been bottling up, inviting me to finally release it to him. What do I need to let go of and give to God? Perhaps God is revealing a place where I need to trust him to supply what I need. To not be afraid. What difference will it make in my life if I obey God’s direction? The woman with the alabaster jar was remembered for her gift. How will I be remembered?

Pause and Pray

Precious Lord, thank you for loving me. I invite you into the cabinet of my soul where many alabaster jars await unopened and untouched. Lord, I surrender all. All that I am and all that I have I give to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Break open my life as a drink offering, a libation, poured out in love for you and others. Amen.

Even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you— and in the same way you also must be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:17-18

I leave this time of prayer offering my life to Jesus Christ as a living sacrifice and endeavoring to pour myself out in love for others.

Amen.