Intentional Discipleship

"I will never forget the furor sparked at a stewardship conference at which an ecumenical group of pastors gathered to discuss generosity. one presenter spoke about offering a gift directly to God, and the clergy began to yawn. Then he pulled a $100 bill from his wallet, set it on fire in an ashtray, and prayed, 'Lord, I offer this gift to you, and you alone.' The reaction was electric. Clergy began to fidget in their chairs, watching that greenback go up in smoke as if it were perfume. One whispered it was illegal to burn currency. Another was heard to murmur, 'If he is giving money away, perhaps he has a few more.' There was nervous laughter around the room. 'Do you understand?' asked the speaker. 'I am offering it to God, and that means it is going to cease to be useful for the rest of us.' It was an anxious moment." -William G. Carter, Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol. Two.

Can we ever worship Jesus too much?

Haven’t we all been tempted to let the Judas spirit take hold … counting dollars more than souls or thinking that some people’s service might be wasteful instead of being happy that they love and serve God?

Judas received a rebuke from Jesus; We hope to live in such a way that we do not receive a rebuke from him too.

Conclusion

Mary’s gift was intended for Jesus - it was intended for his burial, but she used it while he was alive. “…The reader is invited to see in Mary’s action a symbolical embalming of His body for burial, as though He were already dead.” - Morris

“A remark about a burial is not at all what we would have expected. We must take this as a measure of the extent to which the Passion was in Jesus’ mind at this time. it loomed large in his thoughts and therefore an action that at another time might arouse very different associations he immediately linked with his death.” - Morris

Jesus ends this episode with a reflection on the poor. (vs 8)

Stanley Hauerwas comments: 'The poor that we always have with us is Jesus. It is to the poor that all the extravagance is to be given.' The true church always has the poor in its midst, always treasures the life of the poor.’ (via FOTW)

How intentional are we in ….

Celebrating God’s Grace

Worshiping God’s Greatness

Avoiding unGodly attitudes

Blessing the unfortunate and thus blessing Jesus?

All of these things require intentional discipleship.

When we see the Lord we hope he will say “It was intended for you to love and serve in these ways, and you did.”