Today in the Word Devotional

Woman with Oil: Extravagant Love


Listen Later

We perceive the world through the five senses that God has given us. And worship, as God ordained it in both the Old and New Testaments, was a multi-sensory experience. Consider the Lord’s Supper, baptism, sacrifices, and feasts. Maybe our modern worship services could benefit by giving us more to see and touch and even smell. The Passover was only two days away. Up to three million people may have come to Jerusalem for the festivities that year. The chief priests and scribes were nervous. They had witnessed Jesus’ popularity. They risked a riot if they made a public arrest. So, they doubled down on their plan to seize Jesus secretly. That afternoon Jesus left the crowd and retreated to Bethany, this time to the home of Simon the leper. When a prominent person visited a home, it was customary to leave the door ajar, so others could join the gathering. While Jesus was reclining at the table, a woman entered with a jar of very expensive perfume. She went to Jesus, broke the vial—demonstrating the totality of the gift—and poured it over His head. This was far beyond normal courtesy. Jesus would have been drenched. The sweet fragrance would have filled the room. It was a bold, extravagant, sensory- filled expression of love. Some people, possibly even the disciples, scolded (“snorted” or “roared”) the woman. They thought she wasted the perfume. It could have been sold and given to the poor. But Jesus defended her and called her act beautiful. He questioned their concerns. Devotion to Him must outweigh all material matters. He connected her act to His impending death, and He promised her a place of prominence in the gospel proclamation. >> This woman’s love for Jesus spilled over with an extravagant gesture. Many of us have spoiled the people we love with over-the-top gifts. Have we ever done the same for God? How can you give to God extravagantly?
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Today in the Word DevotionalBy Today In The Word

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

65 ratings


More shows like Today in the Word Devotional

View all
Insight for Living Daily Broadcast by Chuck Swindoll - Insight for Living

Insight for Living Daily Broadcast

3,105 Listeners

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life by Tim Keller

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

16,050 Listeners

The Briefing with Albert Mohler by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

The Briefing with Albert Mohler

8,663 Listeners

Ask Pastor John by Desiring God

Ask Pastor John

3,940 Listeners

In the Market with Janet Parshall by Moody Radio

In the Market with Janet Parshall

1,380 Listeners

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly by Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

4,768 Listeners

FamilyLife Today® by FamilyLife Network

FamilyLife Today®

1,709 Listeners

Breakpoint by Colson Center

Breakpoint

3,092 Listeners

Summit Life with J.D. Greear by J.D. Greear Ministries

Summit Life with J.D. Greear

1,293 Listeners

The Land and the Book by Moody Radio

The Land and the Book

294 Listeners

Pray the Word with David Platt by David Platt

Pray the Word with David Platt

1,419 Listeners

Solid Joys Daily Devotional by Desiring God

Solid Joys Daily Devotional

2,184 Listeners

Core Christianity by Adriel Sanchez

Core Christianity

570 Listeners

The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble

The Bible Recap

36,040 Listeners

Daily Joy: A 365-Day Devotional for Women by Crossway

Daily Joy: A 365-Day Devotional for Women

85 Listeners