Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: Daily Devotion

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

John 12:1-3

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

When Jesus was sitting in the house of Mary and Martha, Maria took a pint of extremely valuable perfume to wipe the feet of Jesus. At the time, people there reacted very differently to it, especially among the disciples. Some felt that it was great to offer such precious perfume to God, but was it necessary to waste in on the feet of Jesus? Wouldn't there be a better use? Whenever I read this passage, I would have strong feeling inside about it, for it is easier to serve God but very difficult to follow His will.

Weren't all the disciples that surrounded Jesus Christ willing to serve God? Weren't they all ready to offer everything to Him? They laid down their work and family to follow the Lord and they went wherever Jesus Christ went. Nevertheless, they didn't understand what Lord Jesus Christ needed at that moment. Maria understood that Jesus Christ will go to Jerusalem to face death; she knew that Jesus will suffer, so she anointed the feet of Jesus with perfume. Jesus Christ also knew, that's why He said: "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial." Maria understood the heart of Jesus, and she was serving according to God's will.

We often just serve according to our own flesh, formality or tradition, but we may not be serving according to God's will. We often follow our old habits when we serve, but we are seldom sensitive to what Lord Jesus Christ needs today. Have we come before God to seek His will? Maria was one who seeks the will of God; not only did she serve God, she also sought the Lord's will, that's why she was serving according to God's will. Brothers and sisters, may the Lord help us, not only let us offer ourselves to Him, or serve Him in our own ways and zeal, we also must ask God to let us seek His will with a humble heart, so that God's will may be satisfied!

Pray with Pastor Tong

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Lord, we thank you because you are willing to reveal your will to us. May you give us a softened heart to seek your will; help us to serve you in the spirit so that we may touch your heart. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!