Holy Extravagance

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another,

“Why this waste of perfume?

It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages

and the money given to the poor.”

Mark 14:4-5

Several years ago, I was invited by an African-American pastor friend to attend the dedication of a new church building and sanctuary in a poor, inner-city area of San Diego. The guest preacher at the worship service that day was a black minister from Harlem, and he preached one of the most stirring dedicatory sermons I have ever heard. He talked about how we are more than mouths to be fed and bodies to be clothed and how, as human beings, we have deep spiritual needs that are as important to our health and well-being as the food we eat and the water we drink. He went on to say that material poverty isn’t the only kind of poverty humankind experiences; that it is important that we use our time, energy, and resources not just to feed and clothe the poor, but also to build churches so that those in poor neighborhoods can worship God—and do so in buildings that inspire awe and reverence for the One who provides both rich and poor with their daily bread.

As part of his message that day, the guest pastor told about how his church, located in the middle of Harlem, had just finished raising $250,000 for a new organ. As usual, he noted, there were critics who said that the money could have been better used for another purpose and thought the $250,000 should have been used to care for the poor. I will never forget this minister's reply:

What could I get for the poor for $250,000? 100,000 Big Macs? The people would be hungry the next day and we still wouldn't have an organ! The food would have only lasted a few hours, but that organ will inspire countless thousands of people down through the years. People will walk out of our church with a light in their eye and a spring in their step that will last longer than any hamburger we could ever give them!

With that statement, the preacher was echoing the words Jesus spoke as he defended Mary’s holy extravagance on an occasion when she used a jar of precious—and very costly—perfume to anoint the Master’s feet. Of course, there were people in the room who criticized Mary for her act of devotion, saying rather indignantly that the perfume could have been sold and that money could have been used to care for the poor. However, Jesus commended Mary’s act of devotion.

Now, we all know that Jesus certainly had sympathy for the poor, and that our Lord often condemned wasteful luxury. Indeed, our Lord cared—and cares—passionately for the poor. But on this occasion, Jesus said, “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me" (John 12:8).

Jesus knew that there is a time and place for everything, and he knew that this event was taking place in the shadow of the cross. Somehow, Mary also knew that Jesus' days were numbered. She wondered what she could do for her Lord and Master to let him know of her great love for him. Then she remembered the jar of precious, perfumed ointment which she had been saving for a special occasion. She would do this one last lavish act of love for Jesus; this final act of holy extravagance.

This story comes with a question for all of us, dear readers: Are we, like Mary, willing to pour ourselves out in holy extravagance as we worship the One who lavished his love on us? Or, today, we will concern ourselves with what we can “do” rather than simply loving and adoring Jesus, the One worthy of all of our adulation, worship, and love?

To worship God in truth is to recognize him for being who he is,

and to recognize ourselves for what we are.

~~Brother Lawrence

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A Question to Answer: Would you rather have enough money to buy lunch for the multitudes, or do you desire a relationship with the One who can feed a multitude with one small lunch? And more important, why?

A Prayer to Offer: Lord God, I want so much to be like Mary but, even though I have known of your love for me for a long time, I still find myself trying to do things to earn your what you freely give me! Forgive me Lord for cheapening your grace by believing I can buy it rather than accept it as a wonderful gift. Forgive me for the times I run after the world’s riches rather than cultivating a right relationship with you, the Giver of all good gifts. Having an intimate, interactive relationship with you is my heart’s desire. Thank you for telling me what I need to do to live a life pleasing to you—a life where you unquestionably have first place in my heart! Thank you for ways I can contribute to the spiritual well-being of others rather than focusing my attention on their physical needs. You tell me that man does not live by bread alone—and it, is true! Those who are given physical food will be hungry again in just a few hours. Help me to be a disciple of Jesus—and give me the ability to minister to people’s deepest needs by introducing them to my Master. Amen.

An Action Step to Take: Today find a way to enrich the life of someone by offering them encouragement, support, comfort, assurance, and hope in the physical realm.

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 4:4