Mark 14:6 – Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.”

Lord Jesus, you say such astounding things at the strangest times. You’re getting to go to the cross to die and you’re taking time to protect this woman from the scorn of the disciples. And even more than that you’re even calling her work of feet anointing a beautiful thing. I certainly wouldn’t have called this beautiful. She’s washing your feet! But that tells me how you view our works, our regular, ordinary works. I never would call helping my kids with their math “beautiful” but you do. I would never call cleaning up the kitchen “beautiful” but you do. I would never call simple things beautiful. Necessary and important, yes. But beautiful, probably not. Jesus, what great honor you show me. The things that I do in my life, when I simply show my love for you and my love for my neighbor – whoever that happens to be in my life – you love that! You call it beautiful. Even the seemingly most meaningful task in my day of service to other people is beautiful in your sight. Give me joy to know how you view my service. Give me joy to serve you and my neighbors in this. Amen.