The Corvette and the Cross

The Corvette and the Cross

Almost two years ago my husband sold his beautiful, prized Corvette in order to pay for some very expensive treatments I needed. Now, for anyone who knows Russell you could testify how much he liked his very fast, beautiful car. But his love for me was so pure and true that the sacrifice was made without regret.

There's another story of a woman in Bethany that went to Simons' with an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil. She poured it on the head of Jesus as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant and displeased, saying, "Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor." Jesus responded, "...she has done a good work for me. For you have the poor with you always, but me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on my body, she did it for my burial. Assuredly I say to you, whenever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."

What I got from this passage was this. That the nature of sacrifice is so pure and so full of love, but when witnessed by others it receives two opposing responses.

* Indignant and displeasing

or 

    * Applauded and remembered

Both of these responses will be witnessed when stories are shared, because there is something about a great sacrifice done in love that is uncommon in our self focussed world, So it grabs the attention of all who see or hear about it. Jesus assured those who were there and witnessed this unnamed woman with the alabaster flask, that wherever the gospel was preached in the whole world, what she had done would be told as a memorial to her.

And that dear friends is the nature of an act of love, a sacrificial act, one that costs a person something. It is memorable and makes such an impression that we cannot help but tell those around us.

Jesus also gave a great sacrifice of love. He was actually sent to earth to die so we could have eternal life with Him in heaven. 

Upon hearing of this many will act indignant and displeased. But I believe the Holy Spirit will lead us, and give us revelation of what we could say or do to show the love of Jesus to these who are indignant. The Holy Spirit may reveal to us a need we could meet for them that would demonstrate Gods' love. 

It was in the midst of a loving and sacrificial act that I comprehended early in my marriage of how much my Russell loved me. So I have to believe we can love a person in a way that he or she could understand a sacrifice of such magnitude and love that a man named Jesus laid down His life to save us.

Blessings, Terry

Scripture References:

Matthew 26:6-13 (Authors paraphrase) Of the story of the woman at Bethany

Romans 10:10 (NKJV)

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Picture Taken by: Russell