How Will You Be Remembered?

" And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.

6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” Mark 14:3-9 NKJV

This account from scripture really speaks to me. It speaks of value systems, love, commitment, and, the heart of God. The woman in scripture is Mary, a friend of Jesus. The Alabaster jar and oil were extremely expensive. Mary poured out what was precious and of great value to her upon Jesus. When I read this passage I think of our lives. What is precious to us that we are pouring out for Jesus? 

People devote their entire lives to Jesus, and to many, including those in the Church, they are wasting their lives  away. I just came back from North Africa where I saw single men and women, who were devoting there lives to see the Bible translated into native tongues. I saw families living in conditions that were very difficult. They do this because they love Jesus, and want to share the living hope of Christ to a world that is in dire need of the Good News. To many this seems like a waste of life. You don't have to go to a distant country to pour out your life for Christ. Wherever you are is an opportunity to give your all for Jesus. Mary gave her all as a response to the love of Christ in her life. So can you.  Mary was considered a fool by many for giving her all for Jesus. And so will you. But Jesus treasured her love. He will for you. Jesus said that wherever people hear the Good News of salvation, they will hear about what Mary did for Him.

There is another person in this account that we should look at, his name is Judas. He is also remembered wherever the Good News is shared. If fact, his name is synonymous with being a traitor, a back stabber. Whereas Mary, gave her all to Jesus, Judas sold out Jesus for a few dollars. 

Two people, both close to Jesus. Both remembered for to completely different reasons. One for love and devotion, the other for selling out his friend.

How will you be remembered?