Generating Greatness: Giving
Six days before the Passover ceremonies began, Jesus arrived in Bethany where Lazarus was – the man He had brought back to life. A banquet was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a jar of costly perfume made from essence of nard, and anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples – the one who would betray Him – said, “That perfume was worth a fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor, but he was in charge of the disciples’ funds and often dipped into them for his own use! Jesus replied, “Let her alone. She did it in preparation for My burial. You can always help the poor, but I won’t be with you very long.” John 12: 1Â-8
This was my last year of teaching. After thirty one years in the classroom sharing my life with little ones, it was time to walk down a different path. I have thanked God for the gift of being a teacher almost every single day of those thirty one years. I know He has new plans for me. I know this because the Holy Spirit spoke to me quite a bit last summer and fall to let me know this was it. It was the strangest thing to me at first, in fact, my family began to tease me about it. I would be amongst strangers, or with family I hadn’t seen for decades and the first thing I was asked was, “Aren’t you retired yet?” Even the pharmacist at Walgreens, out of the blue, began talking to me about health care after I retire. I thought to myself, why is this coming up all of the time?
I believed that God must have a new gift for me so once the school year began, I made my decision and the word retirement was never heard again. But I was given the gift of this one last year of teaching and I wanted to make the most of it. God blessed me with an incredible year! Pastor Greg stated on Sunday that we are fulfilled as people when we give. I was living proof of this. God gave me the gift of being a teacher and as I closed a career of helping and giving back to students, I felt completely fulfilled.
Our scripture lesson shows us that Mary put all of her faith in Jesus. She poured her costly perfume over Jesus in preparation of His impending death. The death that gave us grace and a place with Him in Heaven. Mary gave without motive. It was the right thing to do. Jesus gave us the ultimate gift without question, and out of deep unconditional love for us, His children. As we continue down our life’s path, may we ask God to help us to learn to recognize the greatness in others and celebrate it. May we learn to give freely of our talents that have been bestowed upon us. And may we graciously know how to receive the gifts of others and be humbly thankful in return.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for all of life’s gifts that you give us each day. Guide us to serve the people around us as your will directs us. Help us to recognize the greatness in all of your children and to glorify your name in thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name be praised, Amen.
Written by Deb Coyle.