Saturday, March 27 Holy Week Day Two

An Exclusive Love and a Unique Longing

Scripture Reading: John 12:1-8; 1 Peter 1:1-9

Just hours before Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey and greeted by crowds of fickle worshippers hailing Him as King, He came into the home of His closest and dearest friends, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. This was not the first time that He had returned there for solace and fellowship, away from the selfish demands, unfair criticisms, and perpetual misunderstanding of the people. But, this would be the last time and certainly the most significant. In times past, Martha was always the busy sister, flitting through the house, caring for the details of dinner, proper etiquette, and good housekeeping. Her sister Mary, on the other hand, found herself often at the feet of Jesus, drinking in His wisdom and learning from His teaching. Even when rebuked by her sister, her passion for Christ did not wane and continually she sought to deepen her relationship with Him.

And on this day, it would be no different. To the dismay of the disciples and the indignation of Judas, she poured upon the feet of Jesus the costly contents of a fragrant perfume vessel and then dried His feet with her hair, expressing her deep devotion, grateful praise, and undying love for her master. This lavish act was harshly rebuked by the disciples but both commended and defended by the Lord who reminded them that while the poor would always be with them, He would soon be gone. The act of adoration by Mary revealed to Jesus and to those gathered in the Bethany home that her love for Christ was an exclusive love and her longing for Him was unique.

I’m reminded of the story about the young woman in England many years ago who always wore a golden locket that she never opened in the presence of others. Her speculative friends were certain that inside that locket would be the picture of a special love, a desired or past romance that could never be replaced. Upon her premature death, they opened the locket and were anxious to see whose face would be found. To their surprise, only these words were written on the inside, “Whom having not seen, I love.” Her Lord Jesus was the only lover she knew and the only lover she ever longed for. Is our love for Christ so great? Do we love Him only for what He can do for us or are we deeply devoted to Him because of who He is? Is our love for Him exclusive and our longing unique?

Prayer: Father, by your Spirit, pour out Your love within our hearts so that we might love Christ with an exclusive love and desire Him with a unique longing that even though we cannot now see Him, we may with unbridled passion, love Him.