Day 4 - Cost is Not a Consideration

Cost is Not a Consideration

Here's a hypothetical situation. You're in the doctor's office and he's just given you news that you need brain surgery to remove a tumor. Is your first question, "Who's the cheapest surgeon in town?" I doubt it would. However, when we offer worship and sacrifice to the Lord, we try to find the easiest, least expensive, and least time consuming way we can--unless of course, we find ourselves in a desperate situation. The truth is: When our destiny is at stake, there is no price too high to pay.

The woman with the alabaster box is an example of someone who, instead of thinking of how the Lord could help and bless her, she gave of herself for Him--knowing what lay ahead in His destiny, which was the cross. Jesus' disciples hadn't yet gotten it into their fleshy heads the inevitability of the Lord's suffering. Instead, they were focused on the value of the offering the woman gave. The Bible says: But when his disciples saw it, (the box of expensive ointment) they had indignation, saying To what purpose is this waste? [Matthew 26:8] Can you believe what they said? They considered what the woman was doing for the Lord a waste. How wrong they were! While the disciples were thinking with their carnal minds, the woman demonstrated what was in her heart--and this was her great love for the Lord Jesus.

It is estimated that the box of ointment was valued at $51.00, which back then, I imagine was worth a lot more. However, this woman didn't consider any expense for paying honor and showing her love for Jesus--knowing what great price He would pay for us.

Sadly the church has become much like the disciples--where we think church is all about us--how we can get blessed and inspired, when truly church is and will always be all about worshipping Him. While the disciples wanted to honor the poor instead of "wasting" it on the Lord, the woman was focused completely on Him. This is why Jesus declared that the woman's good work would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached--and He was right. Her good work wasn't about pouring oil over Jesus' head--it was about a complete act of love and worship for the Savior--regardless of the price.

As I said before, most of us have no problem with this kind of devotion when our backs are against the wall. But do you think we're fooling God with our alabaster boxes pouring over His head as we beg for help? Why does it take tribulation to bring true heartfelt worship to the church, when if we simply focused on Him all the time, our tribulations would be gnats in comparison?

There was a similar incident in Luke 10: 38-42 when the Lord visited Lazarus' two sisters, Mary and Martha. While Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word, her sister Martha was preoccupied with serving. Martha said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful. And Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Martha was in the flesh, trying to do carnal things, but Mary chose to just be in His presence--at His feet worshipping Him. Mary chose that good thing and when we come to worship Him, we should do the same. Brothers and sisters, church isn't about how you can get blessed, but about seeking to sit at the feet of Jesus and pouring all your devotion upon Him--regardless of the price. Yeah, you may not beat the church crowd at Golden Corral, but you may cause the Lord to do what He did for Cornelius in Acts 10 and send an angel saying, Your prayers and alms [offerings] have come up for a memorial before God. [Acts 10: 4]