March 31,2019
A Journey to Easter-
Extravagant Devotion
“Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God…” 1 Kings 8:61 (NASB)
As Jesus and His disciples made their way to Jerusalem to spend their last Passover together, Jesus had many things to teach them, messages from His Father, Truth from His Heart…Jesus was in the People-changing, Kingdom-building business, and was all about His Father’s Business… HFB. And, Jesus was teaching the world, and would demonstrate that Love and Forgiveness change all things, yes…Jesus knew that the end of His time on earth was drawing closer; His time was limited, and yet He would have enough time to do what He came to do!
Six days before Passover, the day before Jesus would enter Jerusalem for the last week of His human life, He chose to go back to the obscure village of Bethany to attend a meal in His honor, and to spend time with his friends; He chose to go to a home where relationships were made and life was lived…
At the Table…
Jesus knew the blessing of sitting at the table with them…Jesus knew the importance of the nourishment for His disciples and His own tired and weary body. And, Jesus knew the blessing of Spirit-filled nourishment for the tired and weary souls of the people sitting at the table with Him. Jesus chose to spend some of His final moments before the most significant events in human history, with the people He loved dearly, those wholly devoted to Him. He was sure of their relationship, He knew their hearts and He sought a sanctuary, a place where He could love, and, a place He would be loved…a place of peace. While it is true, Jesus wanted to prepare the hearts of His friends for what was coming, Jesus would have known that this visit would begin His preparation for what was to come to Him…
Martha, Mary and Lazarus had experienced The Glory of God and they had…Devoted Hearts
We all have planned celebration meals for our loved ones…birthday parties for our toddlers, and teens, graduation parties, weddings and dinners, baby showers, and Heavenly Homecoming celebrations…each one eliciting both laughter and tears…all of which are a beautiful part of life and hearts devoted to one another.
Jesus’ last recorded visit with the family was for a dinner given in His honor, and Martha was serving…This is amazing! Jesus did not give up on Martha…He does not give up on you or me…and, Martha served once again. But this time, Martha’s heart had been transformed from self-devotion to a heart devoted to the Savior she served and who sat in her presence. And Lazarus sat at the Table with Jesus, the One who had rescued him from the darkness of the tomb to walk forth into the Light of Life. Lazarus certainly had a heart overflowing with devotion, and gratitude for the miracle Jesus had worked in His life…Life with Jesus!
Extravagant Devotion
“Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3 NASB
And, Mary, who first sat at the feet of her Lord to glean the Truth which He spoke into her heart…now, in her humility and her complete and total abandonment, took a large amount of very expensive essential oil and anointed the feet of her Lord. She poured the fragrant oil onto the feet of the man who had walked the many miles, and it is estimated from 15,000-21,000 miles in His life-time. The man who loved unconditionally, who was compassionate, who was the miracle worker. Jesus had reached into her heart, replacing brokenness and hopelessness with a touch, a Word…with His Presence. And Mary untied her hair and gently wiped the feet of her Master…and the aroma of the fragrant oil filled the home from her act of extravagance. Perhaps Mary knew…perhaps not; But, Mary was in essence anointing Jesus, her Savior, in preparation for His death and His burial in the tomb. Mary offered Jesus her Extravagant Devotion.
Devotion in our Homes…
Have you ever imagined what it would have been like to entertain the Messiah in your home?
The One who came to Change People, to Build the Kingdom, the King of Kings…
The One who rules in majesty…
The One who walked thousands of miles for you, for me…
The One who came into the home of His friends with a sweaty brow and dusty feet…
The One who came in, certainly aware of what the world would demand of Him, knowing that He would freely give. And yet, this man came in to sit at the table and to partake of a meal, to converse with, to do life with His friends. Friends who offered Him their transformed hearts, hearts overflowing with Extravagant Devotion. And I ask, what can I offer the King, my Savior?
A Devoted Heart
The greatest gift we give to our LORD is our devotion to Him, lived out in our homes, and in our relationships. When our homes become sanctuaries for family, friends, and neighbors, places where they are safe, and served and loved in Jesus’ Name for His Glory, it is there Jesus finds our gift to Him…
When we live in devotion to our Savior and His Ways…it is there Jesus finds our gift to Him…
When we pray for our loved ones and for Jesus’ loved ones…it is there Jesus finds our gift to Him…
When we serve and love His Church…it there Jesus finds our gift to Him…
As we continue on our Journey to Easter, may we look forward with great expectation to Resurrection Sunday! May we invite and welcome Jesus into our hearts and our homes each day. May we love and serve His people, with extravagant hearts. And, may we be compelled to invite others to Come and See Him for themselves…
When God’s people love extravagantly, the sweet aroma and fragrance of His Love permeates a world filled with people desperate for the Savior, Jesus Christ…The Only One worthy of our Extravagant Devotion, all because of His Extravagant Love!
Love you in Jesus,
