October 16, 2020 -- John 12:3 -- Are you all-in?

Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

John 12:3 English Standard Version

This expensive ointment, nard, is described as valuable as a year’s wages. That is an incredible sum to pour out on Jesus. Some scholars believe that is her dowry, it is that valuable. And she gifts it wholly to Jesus, her bridegroom, the Lord of the church. Mary anointed Jesus’ head (according to Matthew and Mark) and His feet and wiped his feet with her hair. It shows Mary is 100% dedicated to Jesus.

How many of us are prepared to honour Jesus with 75% of ourselves? Or even 95%? What is the problem with this? I was preaching this text at Harvest House yesterday and one of the men observed one soft and rotting potato will soon make the whole bag worthless. So it is with our hearts. Unless we are 100% all in for Jesus, that small portion, however insignificant it seems, that we hold back, will infest and infect the rest of our soul and life.

What are you keeping back from Jesus? You give Jesus your public life, but in private you watch things that are inappropriate. Not pornography, but movies that are celebratory of godless themes and an offense to His holiness. Is this a new legalism? Is this laying on people burdens that are too much? No! Jesus is your full joy. There is no other Person in whom or thing in which you can delight. All other pleasures will betray you and fail you. Jesus alone is the Great Reward of your soul and life, your thoughts and emotions. Remember the text referred to a couple of days ago:

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth,

to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

II Chronicles 16:9 ESV

Blessed Jesus, purify our hearts by Your Word and Spirit so that we will be wholeheartedly devoted to You. Forgive us the times we would foolishly keep back a tawdry bauble for ourselves—when the treasures of heaven are spread out before us. Blessed are You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in our words and in all our lives be glorified. Amen.