When the woman with the jar of costly perfume anointed Jesus feet, just before he was crucified, Jesus said “Truly I tell you that what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” (Mark 14:9) There is something powerful about this story. This woman had been forgiven of her many sins and she had experienced the grace of God to such an extent, her reaction was to give her best; a jar of perfume worth a years wages.
This woman knew something that the others, who were present in that room did not. She knew that Jesus was worth it. Not only was Jesus worth it, He appreciated this woman’s sacrifice. He said to the others, “You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.” (Luke 7:46) Jesus appreciates everything we do for Him. There is not one thing that goes unnoticed.
I want to share a story with you. Several years ago I gave up a well paying job and went to America to study in Seminary. I bought a used car to get me through school. Many years later, when I was in the ministry and traveling, I still had that car. It had broken down so many times, I would often feel discouraged. It wouldn’t drive in fourth gear, the drivers door didn’t open, the windows didn’t wind down, and there were countless other things wrong with it.
I remember one day being in prayer, at the prayer tower, at Oral Roberts University. I got out to the parking lot, got in the car, and when I put it in reverse, the reverse gear didn’t work. I got out of that car, pushed it backwards, got back in and drove it out of there and I said to the Lord, “even if I have to walk, I will follow you!”
Before Seminary I used to work in London, in the Investment Banking sector. Some of my colleagues had Porsches, Audis, and BMW’s. One day I was at home feeling sorry for myself; I was praying for a new car and I felt God say “I like that car” and I responded “you’ve got to be kidding!” He said it again and I was upset at this point and I said, “OK tell me what is it that you like about that car.” And I sensed God say, “it represents, your sacrifice for me.”
Well, at that point I was a deeply convicted, and realized God was touched by the fact that I was giving Him my all. A few months later, God gave me a new car and I was so grateful. To this day I know my sacrifice in this area had touched the heart of Jesus and for me, that made it worth it!
When I was studying missions and evangelism, in Seminary, I had a revelation concerning our motivation for missions. My heart as an Evangelist has always been for unsaved people. This is also God’s heart that no one should perish. It is a wonderful motivation to ensure everyone has the chance to hear the good news of the gospel.
But God began to challenge my motive in a deeper way. I believe our heart for missions and evangelism should be like the cry of the Moravians missionaries who said “May the lamb that was slain, receive the reward of His suffering!” They understood that Jesus was the focus and the reason for missions.
The reason we go to the unsaved of the world is because Jesus is worthy. He is the one who paid the price and suffered for all humanity. We go because we don’t want one drop of his blood to be shed in vain. We go because He is worthy!
During his ministry on earth, Jesus challenged many to come and follow Him. In His parable in Luke 14:16-24, there were so many who had excuses not to come, one said “I have just bought a field” another said “I have just bought five yoke of oxen” another said “I just got married” Jesus went on to say in verse 27 “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me, cannot be my disciple.”
Today I want to encourage you, there may be many reasons for you not to take that step of faith to do something God has told you to do. It may be very tough for you right now, but whatever you do, don’t hold back. I want to encourage you that Jesus is worth it all. Revelation 4:10-11 tells us “The twenty four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by you they were created and have their being.”
These elders could have been content to enjoy their crowns, their achievements and successes, but they knew Jesus was worthy. They threw everything at His feet in worship. There is something about Jesus which provoked this radical response in these elders. Jesus is the Pearl of great price. The elders were like the merchant who “When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had, and bought it.” (Matthew 13:46)
Maybe today you’re wondering if following Jesus is worth it; there will come a day when each of us will cast our crowns, bring our finest perfume, bring everything to the feet of Jesus and wonder to ourselves “Maybe I could have given Him more.” Be encouraged today, no perfume is too precious, no crown too costly, for Jesus, He’s worthy!
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