Love Remains Holy WeekEsimerkki

After a couple gets engaged, one of the first things people want to know or see is the ring. A symbol of promise and affection — a symbol of love. Often, this symbol comes at great cost to the one giving it, perhaps months of sacrifice — saying no to a movie with friends, to the convenience of carry out or even impulse buys at the store. And though the sacrifice may not be easy, it is worth it when the moment comes, the question is asked and the answer is yes. The evening before Jesus is betrayed a woman comes to the home he was visiting. She brings with her an alabaster jar filled with perfume. But rather than setting the jar nicely on the table, she does something unexpected. She pours it out, all of it, on the feet of Jesus. Indignant, the disciples shout, “What a waste! This could have been sold and used to help the poor!” And they weren’t wrong. Yet, the woman didn’t bring a gift to be given away to another. She brought a gift for Jesus, to show him her love, and she didn’t care about the cost. What about you? In what ways have you experienced sacrificial love? In what ways have you given it? Read Matthew 26: 6-19 again and ask what is God saying to you in this season?