Today we share with you briefly about a woman whose name is etched in history. Why is she etched in history, and as a matter of fact, in eternity? Because she did a beautiful thing for Jesus (Matthew 26:10).
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 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.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” ~ Matthew 26:6-10
- By her actions, she provoked a certain blessing from Jesus (v13). What was the beautiful thing she did for this blessing? She honoured Jesus.
- According to Google, to honour means to regard with high respect or great esteem.
- This is what this lady did to Jesus. She regarded Jesus with great esteem: “This man is precious to me.”
Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” ~ Matthew 26:13
- There are two broad ways to honour someone: with substance and without substance. Both of these are very important in our walk of faith.
- We must learn to honour those who are due honour in our lives (Romans 13:7).
Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. ~ Romans 13:7
- Honour is important in all relationships, but honour is critical in certain relationships.
- Honour is critical in our relationship with God (1 Samuel 2:30), our parents (Ephesians 6:2-3), our spiritual leaders (1 Timothy 5:17), husbands (1 Corinthians 11:3-4) and authority figures.
Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’
But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.' ~ 1 Samuel 2:30
- So this lady honoured Jesus by the act of pouring expensive perfume on Jesus’ head – an act of sacrificial giving.
- She willingly gave it all to Jesus, showing her deep love and devotion to Him.
- Jesus recognized and honoured this act, saying: “She has done a beautiful thing to me.“
“‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is the [reverent] fear and respect due Me?’ says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise My name." ~ Malachi 1:6
- Dear friend, honour is a great thing that God is pleased with.
- There is a level of honour that involves your substance and precious possessions (Proverbs 3:9).
- It is like saying: “You are precious to me; you are a treasure; I love you and my possession is worth nothing compared to honouring you…”
- Notice, it is not just in the giving of gifts, but the presentation, manner and worth placed on it.
- Some people give expensive gifts and fat offerings without honouring (especially when they are rich and proud, and just want to show off).
- But true honour moves from the gift to the worth placed on the person.
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)
- Jesus also honoured her with the highest level of honour: eternal honour. It’s been more than 2000 years and we are still honoring this lady because of her actions.
- In John 11, you will see how Jesus also honoured her with love, a close friendship, divine access and a great miracle.
May we learn to honour God and the people He has given us with many honours. And may we also receive many honours as rewards! Heyy… you’re blessed!
Do share your lessons from Matthew 26 with us. Remember to tag us on 📲:
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