ESOCS Devotional 14 January 2021
TEXT: MATTHEW 26:1-30
MEMORY VERSE: “I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26:13 NIV
The woman with an alabaster jar. The story of her kind and good deed was set up as a memorial for her forever. She went to Jesus in the house of Simon the Leper. She carried with her an alabaster jar that contained a very costly perfume. She poured it on the Lord’s head. The disciples criticised her in their ignorance. But our Lord commended her and said her good work would be remembered forever as a memorial for her.
Can you name or number the acts of kindness you have done to people all through life? Has anyone ever lifted his or her voice to heaven to thank God for the benefits received from you? Can people bear witness for you before God that you are kind-hearted? Could people trust that when they become close to you, they would not have regrets or pain? What do your neighbours, colleagues, and acquaintances say about the relationship they have with you? In your marriage, what would your spouse say concerning you? At your work place, what would your junior staff or senior staff say concerning the treatment you give them? In your local church where you worship, what kind of testimony would the members of the congregation tell about you, your lifestyle, and dispositions towards other people? Does heaven have records of your show of love, tolerance, forgiveness, friendliness, fairness, trustworthiness, forbearance, patience, understanding, chastity, forthrightness, and goodness to other people? What are the things for which heaven, earth, and humanity would remember you, after you have left this world?
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Concerning the expensive perfume the woman poured on our Lord, He said, “When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial” (Matt. 26:12 NIV). She prepared His body ahead of the burial. What do you do ahead for people? Do you wait for people to plead and pine before you help them? People who do such things do not receive blessing from God because such acts do not conform to His ways. The woman spent good money to buy the expensive perfume. What is the worth or value of the things you give to the poor? The Bible says, “When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord-and he pays wonderful interest on your loan!” (Prov. 19:17 TLB). The value of the thing you give or do to them would be the reward you would receive. David said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it of you for a price; I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing” (2 Sam. 24:24 RSV).
When you give alms to the poor or beggars, make sure that the amount of money you give is the cost of the standard of bread you eat. It shows that you “love your neighbour as yourself” (Matt. 22:39); and God to whom you gave the money spiritually, will reward you bountifully. Whatever good thing you do to people, you do it to the Lord, and not just the people. If you refuse or fail to do it, our Lord Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me. And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matt. 25:45-46 NKJV). Think on this thing and do the needful.
CHALLENGES
Develop in you the attitude of giving bountifully to the needy and God would reward you with plenty, a double portion.
PRAYER POINT
Lord, give me the wisdom to understand your ways and live by them.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 6:1-12; Zechariah 14:1-9; Revelation 22:14-21
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ESOCS Devotional 14 January 2021
