Better to Give than to Receive!

 

Better to Give than to Receive!

Many people came to Jesus and asked for healing. Nicodemus came at night and asked for knowledge. Some came asking for fish and bread. But one woman came to Jesus asking for nothing. Rather she brought Jesus something. She brought him a little alabaster box. What could the King of the Universe need with a simple box. Yet the box contained a very expensive perfume, and she began to anoint his head with this costly perfume. She was mocked for this act declaring that she wasted it when she could have sold it and given the money to the poor. But Jesus said that she did a good thing in that she was preparing him for his burial! In another passage it says that she not only anointed him with perfume, but she washed his feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. She did not come to Jesus to ask for anything. She came to give him worship.

While many people come to Jesus to ask, few come to Jesus to give. Asking cost little but giving may be costly. We are called to give Jesus a surrendered life. Often, we must give up our will to follow his. The disciples had to give up everything to follow Jesus. It can be costly to give our hearts to Jesus, but the rewards are eternal.

            There is nothing wrong with asking Jesus for our needs or help or guidance or anything in his name and He is pleased when we do so but how much more is he delighted when we come to him and ask for nothing and simple come to give him worship.

Ten Lepers came to Jesus asking to be healed. They cried out “Master have mercy on us!” He did and he sent them to the priest. As they went they were all healed but one of them came back and “with a loud voice glorified God and fell down on his face at his feet giving Him thanks” Ten asked but one came to give. He gave Jesus the only thing he had… thanksgiving and praise!

Ask but do not forget to return to give thanks. He blesses us constantly and it is only fitting that we give in return the only thing that we can, worship in spirit and truth. Our worship is as incense and perfume to the Lord. He is worthy!