A woman anoints Jesus with oil and Jesus ends up proclaiming that her story will be told wherever the gospel is told. What was a simple and ordinary action was used to show extravagant, sacricficial, costly love to Jesus. How do we need to become more like this unnamed woman and express our worship of Jesus through our love?

Often people use the phrase "the least of these" to describe those who are in need, but when we look closer at Jesus' words in this passage we see that he is referring to something (or someone) more specific. This last sermon of Jesus' in Matthew shows us how we live with one another reveals where our relationship with Jesus stands both for now and for our eternity.

"Excuses are what keep you from opportunity. Excuses are what keep you from doing what you know you should do. Excuses are what keep you from changing what needs to be changed". In this familar parable, we see that God gives us all opportunities to use the abilities and capabilities He created us with to expand His kingdom. Will you make the most of your opportunities or will you make excuses?

In Matthew 24, Jesus prophesies concerning the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. His answers to the disciple's ensuing questions about his return show us both a prophecy that has already been fulfulled as well as gives us insight as to how we must be ready and prepared for that day in our lives when we shall see Him again.

At the end of his lessons about fruitless living, Jesus offers a direct condemnation of the Pharisees and their hypocrisy. The judgments he offers to them offer warnings signs for us on how we can know if we are knowingly or unknowingly living this kind of hypocritical life to. In the end, Jesus shows how this kind of living leaves one abandoned and desolate - empty of the presence of God. Hear of how you can avoid that emptiness in your life.

"Fruitlessness is rooted in self-reliance... you cannot go your own way and follow Jesus at the same time". Are you trying to live life your own way? Or are your eyes fixed on the one who can lead you to the abundantly fruitful life that God has for you? Hear of how you and everyone else is invited by the King to the greatest banquet ever , but how you won't stick around very long if you wear your own clothes instead of the King's.

" We start out with the best of intentions. We start out with the desire to build a life that is pleasing to God, that brings Him glory and honor, but some where along the line it stops being about him and starts being about us." Have you rejected the Son as the foundation of your faith or the finisher of your life? If you think you would never reject Jesus, listen to how a fruitless life can convince you that you are doing the right thing when you are really rejecting God and the life He has for you.

How are you obedient to the will and way of God in your life? People often talk as if they love God and want to do what He wants, but their actions don't match their words. Jesus teaches a short parable that shows that God also believes "actions speak louder than words". So are you all talk in your relationship with God or do the actions of your life show that you are following the authority of God in your life?

In killing a fig tree, Jesus gives us an analogy for the greatest danger in our spiritual lives - a life that looks like it is connected to God, but doesn't bear any fruit. As Jesus begins to show His disciples how fruitless God's people have become, He speaks of how prayer and faith are vital factors in our fruitfulness.

People missed out on who Jesus was because of their expectations of the Messiah, so they missed out on what God was doing right in front of them. Are your wrong expectations of God causing you to miss out on what He is doing in your life?