An Invitation to Consecration

In our consumer society that focuses on bargains and discounts (have you ever paid full price at Kohl's?) we often loose the meaning of consecration and the cost to the one who dedicates something to the Lord.  The account of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus in John 12 gives us a picture of one who consecrates their life to the Lord.  What did it cost her in that act of love?

Just before the betrayal of Jesus, His trial and His death we see a scene of celebration at the house of Simon the leper.  He is hosting a dinner party and the guests included Lazarus who was recently raised from the dead and his sisters Martha and Mary, Jesus and His disciples as well as other distinguished religious leaders. As the dinner is finished Mary who has been serving the guests shifts the focus of the evening by her unprecedented action of devotion.  She breaks open an alabaster box that likely contained her portion of the family inheritance and certainly her dowry to ensure her marriage and future security.  The contents of the very expensive perfume are used to anoint the feet of Jesus.  Mary begins to wipe the feet of Jesus with her hair in vulnerability and pure devotion.  One of the disciples of Jesus, Judas, is angry and indignant that the perfume was poured out and could have been sold to give to the poor.  Other gospel accounts record the anger of the religious leaders as they continued to look for ways to get rid of Jesus who threatened their authority.  The tension of the moment pivoted the celebration of the miracles of Jesus and His Words and Works to the anger of man and hostility of enemies.  The harsh words of the accusers are silenced by Jesus Who tells the the listeners that she has done what she could and has even begun to prepare His body for burial.  Her act of devotion would echo through the ages and into every place where the Gospel of Jesus is preached.  Mary risked her reputation, her future security and her dignity in her act of worship. She consecrated or set apart her priceless possession and herself as an act of devotion not duty to the Lord.

In our culture of acceptance by performance we can overlook the risk of devotion and the cost of serving the Lord.  David the King of Israel said " . . . I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing."  I Chronicles 21:24. We can do all kinds of good works and we can give conveniently but are we offering our most prized possession - our hearts and affection to the Lord?  Can we take a risk like Mary and pour out everything to Jesus?  This is an invitation from the Lord to consecrate, to set apart ourselves, our time, our attention and affection. What is of value to me that I have not yet offered to the Lord?  When we consecrate something even ourselves to the Lord we must count the cost but the reward far outweighs the costly price.  Will what we do speak of eternity in the times and places to come?