How much is Jesus worth?

Tonight, I met with my small group. We had food and Bible study; it was the last one before the new year. I wish you all could go to my small group. I am enriched, challenged, encouraged, loved and graced by each person there every time I go. Each friend there causes me to think, to pray, to long for a closer walk with Jesus. Their love for Jesus spurs me on to love Him more.

And He is so worth my love. Tonight, we discussed the passage in scripture where Lazarus, newly raised from the dead, Martha (serving) and Mary (at Jesus' feet) were hosting Jesus and His disciples. Mary broke a jar of perfume, worth an entire year of paychecks before taxes, on Jesus' feet. Then she wiped Jesus' feet with her hair. Her worship was costly. We talked about how following and worshipping Jesus is costly.

Good ole Judas (our dark side/fallen man side) was all bothered by Mary's adoration and lavish gift to Jesus. He'd been stealing from their expense fund, and was probably ANNOYED that he wasn't going to get a piece of that chunk of change - if the perfume had been sold for ministry needs. Hey, Jesus is worth it! Besides, Judas, you aren't thinking of the poor, but your own gain.

Ever been betrayed, lied to or about by friends, spurned, abandoned by a loved one? Jesus knows it well. Jesus knew Judas' end, and He seemed so gracious to him all along the way. Grace instead of condemnation. Just like Jesus gives us grace instead of condemnation. He's dealt with our condemnation on the cross.

Usually people had their feet washed and their heads anointed with perfumed oil. Mary anointed Jesus' feet. Was that signifying that Jesus' feet were elevated above common man's head? Food for thought. Being prepared for His burial? Sounds highly plausible. Jesus was just flat out being adored and loved.

So we ended with thinking about the cost of following, serving, worshipping Jesus. Were we holding back? Isn't Jesus worth the cost of what it might be we are setting up as more important than Jesus. Are we pilfering from the gifts and talents Jesus has given us for our own glory? Adding Him as needed?

Or, are we laying all our gifts, talents, treasures before Him and saying, "Have at it. It is all yours. Shape and direct my life." ......Lord, let me be more like Mary, and let me draw, paint and create as worship, adoration and service for you, Jesus. You are so completely worth it.

Thus, the sketch of Mary at Jesus' feet.