Learning Our Limits – Part 6: Seek God’s Will
Allow me to make a slight shift in direction. Learning our limits certainly includes knowing how God has gifted us and staying close to Him for guidance. But it also involves paying attention to those times when we need to receive ministry from others. We can’t always be giving. Some people never notice when their spiritual gas gauge is on empty. That’s a precarious position to be in.
Our Lord is such a help by way of example. Mark 14:3-9 records the incident where Christ was dining at the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany. It was the final week of our Lord’s life. Knowing what was ahead, He must have been under great stress. Then a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which was worth a year’s wages for the average worker. She had brought something of real value. (If a person came to you with a gift that you knew cost an entire year’s salary, you’d be impressed!) The woman broke the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head.
It was as if she was saying, “Gentle prince, Dauphin, Son of the Most High, I have been sent to anoint You in the manner of all true kings.”
Almost immediately the woman was criticized for her actions by some of the dinner guests. Verses 4-5 tell us, “Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly.” To be rebuked for giving a costly gift was hard enough, but she was rebuked harshly.
“Leave her alone.” Those are Jesus’ words. “Why are you bothering her?” Their faultfinding was out of line.
“She has done a beautiful thing to Me,” He continued. “The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have Me.”
So he defended the woman, but there was an obvious touch of gratitude in His words also. She understood what was happening. She was one of the few who did. When Jesus told those present at the dinner, “You will not always have Me,” He knew His words would become reality within days. He said specifically, “She poured perfume on My body beforehand to prepare for My burial.”
Good for her.
And good for our Lord that He was aware that such a marvelous gesture of love could be received, that it was not a gift that was out of line, that it was appropriate and timely and God-directed. It was from an unnamed woman, yes, but it was also a gift from His Father, who used this woman-servant to carry His message: “You’re a special Son worth everything in the world to Me. I understand that what You’re facing is extremely difficult. Don’t wobble, walk tall. You’re not alone. You’re loved.”
Some people can minister, but they can’t be ministered to. They try to outdo Jesus. That’s not easy and it’s not necessary.
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
