Extravagant Worship

Have you ever given an extravagant gift to someone? A gift so well thought out or hard-earned that it went above and beyond the expectations of the receiver?

Just before His crucifixion, Jesus' friend Mary honored Him with a significant gift (John 12:1-8). She brought what was likely her most valuable possession -- an alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume which was valued at about one year's worth of income.

Knowing that Jesus would soon be taken away and crucified, she broke the jar, and holding none of it back for herself, poured the oil over His head and His feet as if anointing Him for His burial.

Doing so, she offered extravagant worship to her beloved Savior, and Jesus commended her for giving such a significant and beautiful gift.

We may not have expensive possessions to give to our Savior, but each of us has other gifts such as time, service, and love to offer. Even our children have these precious gifts with which to honor Him.

As we meditate on our Lord's death and resurrection this week, in what way might we respond? What extravagant gift can we offer -- either to Him or "in His name" to someone He loves?