"And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, "Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they scolded her. But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." (Mark 14: 3 - 9) We know from John 12:3 that the woman was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The perfume Mary spilled out was worth a year's wages. This was the family's wealth, security - but she spills it out. We can only imagine how strange it must have seemed to the disciples when Mary covered her Lord in perfume - perfume that the disciples, particularly Judas for wrong reasons, thought could have been sold for money. But surely Mary knew that her act was an expression of extravagant love, a sacrifice of almost unexplainable proportions. Nothing stopped her from pressing past the others and their concerns to show her love to Jesus. Sacrificing all she had for Jesus was worth it. This week's song choice was originally recorded by Christian artist Steve Green. This choral setting by Bill and Gloria Gaither has a particularly meaningful and deep text. Drawn from the narrative of Mary's sacrifice it focuses on Christ's sacrifice on the cross for mankind. There God showed His love to us by giving His precious treasure, His loved and perfect Son, to be broken and spilled out for us. And though Christ was perfect and holy, He gave up himself willingly. He spared no expense for our pardon and He was spilled out and used up for us. Oh what love! And the song concludes with the prayer of sacrifice, "Let me be spilled out and used up for Thee." Is that your prayer and desire?
1. One day a plain village woman
Driven by love for her Lord
Recklessly poured out a valuable essence
And once it was broken and spilled out
A fragrance filled all the room
Like a pris'ner released from his shackles
Like a spirit set free from the tomb
Just for love of you Jesus
My most precious treasure
2. Lord You were God's precious treasure
His loved and His own perfect Son
Just for love it was done
And though You were perfect and holy
You gave up Yourself willingly
You spared no expense for my pardon
You were used up and wasted for me
Just for love of me Jesus
God's most precious treasure
You were broken and spilled out
You were spilled out and used up for Me
In sweet abandon, let me be spilled out
1 comment:
It's been so long since I heard this wonderful song; thank you, Barry for sharing it this week. The timing was right on for me. God has been "breaking" me and I weep; but, the "spilling out" is coming and I look forward to that. AND, one day soon, I will be with my Saviour who was broken and spilled out for me. Praise the name of Jesus!
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