Today’s Scripture: Matthew 26:7; 2 Samuel 24:24; Hebrews 13:15-16
In Bible days, women kept costly perfume in a container as part of their marriage dowry. On the wedding night, the bride would pour out the contents over her husband to express her love and devotion to him. The fragrance would fill the house and go out into the street. Passers-by could smell the aroma, recognizing the bride’s act of love toward the groom.
When this woman emptied the valuable oil on Jesus’ head, she was pouring out her future. What would she bring to her marriage if it had all been spent on Jesus? Her life savings was gone. What a sacrifice.
An Old Testament story tells how David wanted to purchase property so he could build an altar to make sacrifices to the Lord. The landowner was more than willing to give his property to the king. David, however, insisted on paying him. “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
The writer to the Hebrews mentions we are to “. . . continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that confess His name.” He adds that we are to do good and share with others because this is pleasing to the Lord.
If we continually offer a sacrifice of praise, we will constantly be aware of the Presence of the Lord and the needs of others. This might require a major lifestyle change for some of us. But, we will be enriched if we’re willing to make the change.
- What sacrifice is included in your worship?
- How would your life change if you continually offered a sacrifice of praise to the Lord?