Expression of Extreme
Devotion
“Give of your best to
the Master,”
We sang when I was a
teen.
This is a verse that
reminds me
Exactly what that can
mean.
Mary gave
extravagantly
Because she loved her
Lord
Not only because He
raised her brother
From death by the
power of His word.
For Lazarus, Mary and
Martha
Knew Jesus as both
Master and friend.
Whether she knew it or
not
She was preparing Him
for the end
Of His ministry as the
God-Man,
For to Jerusalem He
had set His face
Even knowing all that
awaited Him
When he eventually
reached that place.
Jesus had been warning
the disciples
That He was going to
be killed.
Mary gave
extravagantly,
But Jesus’s blood
would be spilled.
Jesus gave His all for
me,
He paid my debt on the
tree.
How can I withhold
anything
The Lord would ask of
me?
Jesus does not demand just
certain things from us – He wants our all, our entire being surrendered to Him.
We feel such an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love that we desire to give
Him the most valuable item we have. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his
promised son, Isaac, on the altar at God’s command. Joseph the dreamer
continued to be faithful to the Lord after being thrown into a pit by his
brothers, and God used him to save the Israelites from famine. Moses took on
Pharaoh at the age of eighty when the Lord commanded him to leave his new life
to deliver His people. Hannah gave her firstborn son to work in the temple
alongside Eli out of gratitude that the Lord opened her womb. Hosea was willing
to ruin his reputation when the Lord told him to marry Gomer the prostitute in
order to be a picture of God’s love for us. Esther risked her position as queen
and her very life in order to save the Jews, God’s people. Mary submitted to
God when Gabriel gave her the message that she would be the mother of the
Messiah. Joseph married Mary who was pregnant with Jesus disregarding what
their neighbors would think of the two of them and the gossip they surely would
spread. The apostles left everything, their businesses and their families, to
follow Jesus and become His ambassadors to spread the Gospel. Mary of Bethany gave the most expensive thing
she owned to honor Jesus before His death on the cross. Throughout history,
God’s people have sacrificed to show how deeply they love God. Is there
something you need to lay on the altar to be used by God for His glory. If so,
do not hesitate. The reward may not be immediate or even on this side of
Heaven, but God sees and knows your heart.
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