Today’s Scripture Reading: Mark 14:3-9; Matthew 26:6-13; John 12:12:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Matthew 21:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19; Luke 19:41-44; John 12:20-36
Are you missing someone today that you thought you would “always” have in your life?
Would you do anything differently if you had another chance to be with that person?
This was the message Jesus was trying to get across to His disciples in today’s reading:
Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.
Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.
But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed. –Luke 14:3-9
This phrase, “But you will not always have me” jumped off the page at me.
I began thinking about the people in my life that aren’t with me anymore…
- My first-born boy-child that was stillborn
- My Dad
- A close friend
All three gone, too, too soon.
But to me, today’s reading is more of a reminder of what I haven’t lost. I need to savor every moment with my family and friends that are still with me because “I will not always have them.”
- I need to go visit my 96 year old grandma more often
- I need to resume my once a week visits with my Mom
- I need to sit on the back porch with Harry more often
- I need to get to as many of my grandkids soccer and football games as I can
- I need to plan those quality times with my son and daughters
- I need to arrange for more sleepovers and trips to the park with the grandkids
- I need to get in the car and drive to see my out-of-town kids and grandkids as much as humanly possible
- I need to go to lunch with friends and have them over for dinner
When Jesus told his disciples that they “would not always have Him,” they had no idea how short their time with Him would be. He wasn’t telling them not to care for the poor, he was saying, “treasure this time with Me, because you won’t always have Me.”
Friends, let’s make sure that the most important things are the things we spend our time and money on. Other than our relationship with our Lord our family and friends are our greatest treasure. Take some time to love on them today.
Heavenly Father, it’s very difficult to balance our time and attention with all the demands life puts on us. Please teach us to have the priorities that You want us to have. Help us to love like You love. Help us to treasure each moment we have with our loved ones. Make us a blessing today.
In Jesus Name. Amen and Amen!
© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: John 12:37-50; Mark 11:12-14; Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:15-19; Matthew 21:12-17; Luke 19:45-48; Mark 11:20-33; Matthew 21:23-27; Luke 20:1-8
