Day 13 Lenten Devotion

Broken and poured out. Powerful images and literal words from the story of the woman anointing Jesus at Simon the Pharisee's house (one whom Jesus had healed from leprosy) and again with Jesus at the last supper. Bread, wine and perfumed oil come to mind when we recall these gospel accounts. At the last supper, Jesus would be betrayed to death; a death that he freely accepted. By changing the words declaring the blessing over the desert bread, a script that everyone knew by heart, Jesus instituted the new and everlasting covenant in what He was about to endure and would forever change the memorial meal. That same night in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' prayer to the Father would reveal the deep personal struggle of what it would mean to be broken and poured out.   

When the woman came into the house of Simon the Pharisee and falling at the feet of his honored guest Jesus, everything changed. It was completely out of the norm of social conduct for an univited guest, let alone a women of questionable character to do what she was doing. 

What an incredible act of devotion and at the same time, soul wrenching display of love that left everyone shocked and speachless. It was so scandalous that eveyone was stunned to silence.

This woman's sacrifice of expensive, perfumed oil, in an act of being undone in front of all the guests. Even Simon did not dare to say out loud what he was thinking. If Jesus only knew what she was, the men thought...What a scandal this was going to be....They couldn't see the beauty of that moment until Jesus helped them all to understand who had committed the greater offence.

The offering of all that she had done and all that she was; her sin was as sweet as the expensive perfume to the Lord.

Could you do what the woman did? In an act of complete devotion she didn't care what anybody else thought, only the love she had for Jesus mattered. To be 'undone'; broken and poured out of all emotion and thought, to follow Christ because of what he has done for you?

By living your life as broken, poured out and offered up.

Talk to God about the things in your life that need to be broken and poured out like that of the perfumed oil.

Read: Mark 14:1-26

Prayer of consecration

Lord,

I confess my sins and failures to you and I am very sorry for having sinned against You.  Give me the strength to seek and accept Your grace and forgiveness.

Lord Jesus, you poured yourself out completely and died for me so that I would have eternal life. I claim that wonderful and indescribable gift of salvation.

Create a pure heart in me, refresh my spirit and renew my mind and body.

I consecrate myself to you Lord and ask that you use me according to your holy will.

I pray in Jesus name.

Amen