Mark 14:1-9 Smelling good.

Here we have the story a woman that is pouring expensive perfume on Jesus, and the people around the table criticize her for doing so, because she should of spent the money for the perfume on feeding the poor.   Jesus says in effect, you will always have the poor, you can't help them every time you want to, but you will not always have me (Jesus).    It's interesting that the passage sets up a plot to kill Jesus  ... so you know that the betrayal will come soon.

How many of us would be the same type of person around the table, saying the same thing, "why are you wasting this expensive perfume??"    But I like how Jesus puts a spin on it, saying that she has anointed his body for burial.   This woman recognized who Jesus was, and I don't know if she was just giving him a gift for the who he was, but this was another reminder to those around him that his time was short.

Funny enough, he prophesied that this woman's work would be shared around the world.  How true was that!!!

For us, I think we can take out of the story the fact that good works doesn't replace Jesus in our lives.   Think about it, we always have the poor, the world always has needs.   The world continues to have one natural disaster after the next.   We can help people, and we should help them get through whatever trajedy they're going through ... spreading the compassion of Christ as it were.   But without the good news, without Christ in people's lives, all our helping will only go so far.   

We need to look for opportunities in the midst of doing 'good deeds', to share the gospel.  Because in the end, all the good deeds we do, won't save anyone from hell.   But Jesus saves, he IS the good news.   Not just for today or tomorrow, but forever!!