We looked yesterday in Matthew 25 at the Parable of The Ten Virgins(5 came prepared to wait for the Lord) and the Parable of the Talents(the one who hid his talent was rebuked). This chapter ended with the Lord sitting on His throne and separating the nations/peoples into two groups, the sheep nations(those who will be with the Lord, pray for your country) and the goat nations, those who are rejected and will not be with the Lord.
Matthew 26 is about Jesus’ betrayal and His mock trial; no justice from the religious rulers for the Son of God(and Son of Man). Jesus had to go, He was too much of a threat to the institution governed by the religious rulers of the day. Derek Prince said that the greatest enemy of the True Church (those who know and love Jesus) in our days will be the Harlot Church. An organisation with a religious veneer, an appearance of respectability, but vehemently hostile to the Lord and His people. Organised religion hates Jesus and the Freedom He brings.
Matthew 26:6-13 tells the story of the woman who came to Jesus in the home of Simon the Leper(both of them may have been outcasts to their society).
… A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. Matt 26:7
No doubt the smell of the perfume spread throughout the house, but some of them were annoyed at ‘this waste’.
Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman?” She has done a beautiful thing to Me(last recorded act of kindness to the Lord, before the sham trial and crucifixion). …she did it to prepare My body for burial(Jesus still patiently explaining things to His followers). 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.
One anonymous woman was led to anoint the Lord’s body for burial, in a house full of people who didn’t understand the significance of what she was doing. Her faithfulness would be recognised wherever the Gospel was preached. God’s reward system is often very different to what we imagine it should be. This personal act of kindness to the Lord will be recognised everywhere the story is told.
Is God asking us to sacrifice something to Him, something very costly, that others may not understand? Something that once it’s broken can never be put back in the jar but will release a fragrant smell to Him, perhaps only to Him. Personal sacrifices to the Lord will be rewarded here on earth and in the age to come. God sees and knows our hearts and what we’ve given up for Him.
God bless and keep you this day.