Love Costs: Matthew 26: 1-13

Dear Family,

I remain a hypocrite. I do. The other day Kendra called me to tell me that she had done something radical, something amazing, something sacrificial. She had piqued my curiosity. I asked what she had done, and she told the story of meeting a man on the off ramp, and she gave that man $20. I protested loudly, at least through the phone and through my emphatic sigh. I was ready to start a fight, an argument, anything to show her act to be the insane act of naivete that it seemed to be.

But just as i was about to really assault her, verbally, something stopped me in my tracks. The Scripture for this Sunday popped into my head, and i found myself silenced and muted by the power of love, even insane, naive love. Was the man going to buy alcohol, drugs, or smokes? Who knows? I dont. Kendra doesn't. No one does. Does it matter? Maybe.

What seems to matter the most, though, is this, Kendra gave, sacrificially, to a man that appeared in need. Our cynicism flows from what could be a serious injustice, but should that change our acts of love? Should we let our 'knowledge' of the world impose its will upon our hearts and ministries? Should we let wisdom and reason and logic govern everything we do, at least as our actions are tied to ministries?

Or is there another way?

The woman didn't think about the loss of expensive perfume or the investment she had in it, as she anointed Jesus with this sweet scent of love. She was mocked, by disciples of Jesus no less, for her insane and wasteful act of love. The poor could have been fed. A house could have been built. Clothing could have been purchased. And the list goes on and on about all that could have been done with the money she 'wasted' on Jesus.

Jesus, on the other hand, simply embraced and loved her ministry. Not only that, with his acceptance of her grace, he immortalized her by including her story in his great story. She went from unknown to a historic figure teaching us all what it means to love, sacrificially. A few weeks ago, Kendra taught me that lesson, i just hope i haven't squandered other opportunities to minister, just because i allowed logic, reason, and common sense to have the upper hand.

Because sometimes the most logical option, the most reasonable answer, and the one that truly embodies the greatest common sense is the right one. Ministry isn't governed by "Common Sense," it is governed by the sense of Jesus, and His sense always is right. Amen.

Shalom,

jerry