A Generous Response
The gospels narrate how Jesus made a visit to the house of Simon the Leper at Bethany. Bethany was also the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. During the course of the evening, a woman, called a “sinner,” anointed the head of Jesus with costly ointment.
Simon hosted a dinner in Jesus’ honor because Jesus had healed him of leprosy. This was a one-time act of service. But it was the woman who invested the best she had to offer; she anointed the head and feet of Jesus. We have her example for all time.
The woman offered her whole life to this Jesus who redeems, generously gives hope, peace, and joy, heals body and soul, and freely forgives sin. Our Lord is a lavish God who deserves our full attention. Paul writes in 1 Cor. 6:20, “For you were bought at a price.” What is the suggested response? The verse continues, “Therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” The Lord is paying attention, and the world awaits.
One good response to Him is to see what opportunities you have to serve the Lord in His global enterprise to disciple the nations. You can set your criteria for service; long-term, short-term, at home or abroad, however the Lord leads you. How? Register or login at missionnext.org to continue your journey to follow Him with a whole heart.
Nelson Malwitz, Founder MissionNext
Nelson Malwitz, Founder
Nelson is the generic Evangelical baby-boomer. Born in 1946, raised in the C&MA and attended Urbana ’67 in college. He holds an MS degree in Chemical Engineering and worked in R&D positions in American industry for 33 years. Nelson is an inventor with formal training in methods of creative problem-solving. He was a founding elder at Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, CT (1982) in what is now one of the largest Evangelical churches in New England. In 1998 Nelson founded the Finishers Project, now MissionNext, and serves in program development. He has been in 45 countries to work with leaders of leaders and see multiple cultures first hand.
The passages that apply are Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:36-50 & John 12:1-8. There is controversy if these accounts are the same incident or separate encounters. A lot of ink has been spilled over this issue. But the point in each case is that the woman did not hesitate to give her best, give what was most valuable, to Jesus.