Why should Jesus say that the story of one bad sinner must be told everywhere the gospel is proclaimed? What is so special about Mary Magdalene's tearful offering at Bethany (Mark 14:1-9)?
(1) As a photographic print resembles its negative, so her strange act resembled His great sacrifice. Jesus HAD to defend her before His unfeeling disciples, for in doing so He was defending Himself, His cross.
(2) She had paid an enormous price for that alabaster flask of precious ointment (300 silver coins, the wage of a working man for a year). So Jesus paid an enormous price to redeem us.
(3) What Mary did was wildly extravagant--"wasting" an entire flask of "very precious" ointment when only a teaspoonful was needed; so what Jesus did was equally (more so!) extravagant--shedding His blood sufficient to save an entire world when only a handful of people will respond.
(4) Mary's motive was totally non-selfish; she had no thought of being praised by Jesus. All she wanted to do was say, "Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul!" So Jesus' motive was purely and simply love for lost people, no acquisitive purpose mixed in to becloud that pure flame of devotion for us. Mary was unconsciously reflecting the motives of Jesus. Her perceptions, her discernment, were far more sensitive than that of any of the Twelve disciples.
(5) The Bible singles her out as a "sinner," meaning, an outstanding one (Luke 7:37); she was "forgiven much," not little. She knew it, realized it; therefore her now converted sinful heart could be stretched outsize to "love much" (vs. 47). Hence her amazing deed, the most beautiful ever performed by any repentant sinner in history.
(6) Jesus therefore saw in her an example, a "prototype," a demonstration, of what His agape-love could and would eventually produce.
(7) Her act of love in no way contributed to her salvation; it was only an expression of gratitude for her salvation already accomplished. Thus Jesus defined it as the clearest demonstration of what the word FAITH means: "Go in peace," He said; "thy faith hath saved thee" (vs. 50). Thus Jesus nailed down for all time to come a clear definition of faith: it is a heart-appreciation of what He has done for us in saving us from hell itself. When faith is so understood, it can do nothing else than "work" (Gal. 5:6).
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 10, 2000.
Copyright © 2010 by Robert J. Wieland.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please forward these messages to your friends and encourage them tosubscribe. The "Dial Daily Bread" Web site resides at: http://1888message.org/dailybread/
To subscribe send an e-mail message with "subscribe" in the body of the message to: dailybread@1888message.org
To un-subscribe click on this link: Unsubscribe me from this contact list
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" messages are availalbe via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.
