I was struck with how easily I have read over this chapter at times.  Today, I found myself coming back to this account of Jesus’ trials and execution.  As I read these words today, for some reason, they didn’t seem as familiar.  The heaviness of this chapter seemed to weigh on me as I meditated on what Jesus went through in his last hours.  I am experiencing so many emotions as a result of this chapter today.  I feel guilty for how often I have read through this account with relative ease.  I am saddened by the suffering of an innocent man.  I am awed by the love that Jesus demonstrates through his willingness to suffer.  I am angered by different people in the account.  All day this chapter has been at the forefront of my thinking…it keeps calling me back to read again…and I am thankful.

I am thankful for these words that seem, more than ever, to be living words.  Words that not only detail the account of my Savior’s suffering, but cut to my heart and seem to have a life all their own as they continue to teach, minister to and inspire me!

I pray that as you read these words, may you experiece their weight and their life.

Mark records another act that defies reason.  In chapter 12 we saw a woman giving, “out of her poverty.” Everything she has in the offering.  Now it is a woman with a questionable background that busts up a dinner party.  It isn’t her showing up that is out of the realm of reason, it is what she does once in the presence of Jesus.  She does something that makes everyone at the party question her sanity, everyone that is but Jesus.  As she breaks open this jar of expensive perfume and proceeds to pour it on Jesus, he sees it for what it is, an act of worship and preparation for his impending death.  Jesus defends her actions and even states that this act will go down in history.

What have I done that would cause everyone around me to question my judgment?   Everyone that is, but Jesus.  What do I have to offer that is of high value, but I can “waste” on Jesus as an act of worship?  Am I more concerned with honoring Jesus with my life, no matter how crazy it may seem to others or with what other will think?

God, help me to love you and worship you with no thought of others.  Help me to be crazy!

I know that the return of Jesus is such a basic concept of Christianity, but I was convicted as I read this chapter.  I know, believe and teach that the return of Jesus is imminent  and unknown.  How does this belief and knowledge influence the way I live and the decisions that I make?  I confess that I can go a significant amount of time living out my time, rushing to meet deadlines and worrying about the future without much thought that the next minute could be the last minute.  Why can something so important and pressing, be pushed aside so easily?  The return of Jesus should be a primary influence in my life, dictating priorities and decisions - not in a morbid way, but causing me to live with a sense of urgency.  The urgency should be for  the most important things, to live in the present, to live without regrets of words left unspoken or acts of kindness left undone.

If I had the knowledge that tonight would be my last night to prepare for bed, that for me tomorrow would not last till the hour at which I am currently writing…what would be different?

What would I say to Andrea tonight?  Would i tuck my kids in differently (or at least make to their room before they fall asleep)?  Are there notes I would write, phone calls I would make?  Would it change the first thing I do tomorrow?  Would it change how I spend my time tomorrow?  Is there someone I would contact to offer forgiveness or to ask for forgiveness?  How would I pray differently?

What about you, would it change anything for you?

The story of the widow’s offering has always intrigued me.  It seems odd that Jesus is watching how much people are giving as their offering.  That seems a bit awkward.  It is funny when I think about how hard I try not to look around during the offering, so as to not even give the appearance that I am looking at what someone is giving.

Jesus makes a note, though, of the level of sacrifice that is made rather than the amount given.  I love how Jesus says, “she gave out of her poverty.”  That seems so amazing.  Who gives “out of poverty?”  Typically, that is when I hold on tighter.  There was a time in my journey with God when I remember thinking, “I will give to God when I can afford to do so.”  There is so much wrong with that statement, but the basic idea is to give out of wealth…out of an abundance.

The most amazing thing is that Jesus says, “She put in everything - all that she had to live on.”  What financial advisor would sign off on that?  But Jesus doesn’t berate her as being foolish with her money.  Jesus lifts her up as a model, as the one that is doing right.  In light of our weekend gatherings, she is “all in.”  She is not holding anything back.  She is not just an admirer of God, she is a follower.

Do you give (time, resources, abilities, money, yourself) according to your abundance, when you are sure there will be enough?  Do you give it all to God, recognizing it is all comes from Him?  Do you give trusting in yourself or trusting in God as your provider?

Why doesn’t Jesus give a “don’t try this at home” warning?  Why is she held up as the model and not the exception?  Does this seem a little too risky to anybody else?

I have read this at times as figurative, but why?  Because it makes me uncomfortable?  Probably…

Are you “all in?”