Washing the Master’s Feet

Washing the Master’s Feet

This Sunday at CDC, we were privileged to have our own Pastor Richard give the message on “Washing the Master’s Feet”, on the famous passage of Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus.

Six days before the Passover, in the house of Simon the Leper, a feast had been given in Jesus’ honor. Martha was serving, and Jesus, Lazarus and His disciples were reclining at the table. And then Mary came to the Lord. In her hands, she held a pint of pure nard, a very expensive perfume, and poured it lavishly on Jesus feet until the house was filled with fragrance. And she wiped his feet with her own beautiful, long hair….

It was an unprecedented act, unthinkable of any woman in those days. But Mary did not care. She loved Jesus and worshipped Him the best way she knew how. She did not care what the other men thought, not even what her own sister and brother would think. She only thought of Jesus, and expressed all her love for Him.

Pastor Richard at this point shared with us three lessons that we can learn about worship from Mary. Firstly, Mary bowed low before Jesus. She came to Him knowing He was Lord and worthy of all reverence and glory. Secondly, Mary was bold. She was willing to suffer ridicule and shame because of her love for Jesus. Thirdly, Mary was extravagant and generous. No worship of the Lord can be too extravagant or generous. When we worship the Lord, we must not hold back, but give all that our heart stirs us.

Pastor Richard said that there are three kinds of givers. The first giver is like a flint. One must strike it hard just to get a few sparks and chips. The second giver is like a sponge. One must squeeze it hard to get out any water. The final giver is like a honeycomb, overflowing with honey. We were challenged to be like the honeycomb, giving freely and generously to the Lord, whether in offerings, service or worship.

Judas had a far different spirit. He said “Why this waste of perfume?” To Judas, Jesus was not worth it. He had not grasped that Jesus was Lord, King of Kings and no sacrifice could be lavish for Him. Jesus was worth EVERYTHING to Mary. Who is Jesus to us, really? Is Jesus really worth it? Is Jesus really worth it? Would we be able to give of ourselves without counting the cost for Him? Judas’ calculating mind immediately estimated that the perfume cost a year’s wages. Could we give up even 10 months salary to the Lord?

Pastor Richard shared that “Kenosis” means to empty, and many times, he had his fellow servants at Kenosis emptied themselves for the Lord’s work, and each time, the Lord showed Himself faithful. They saw miracle after miracle.

Jesus said “She has done a beautiful thing for me”. In closing, we were exhorted to examine ourselves, to see if were doing anything that Jesus could call beautiful. Jesus is worth all our sacrifice. Jesus is worth all our extravagance. Jesus is worth all that we can give and more. God bless, Jason