What Jesus Did! 'Extravagant Because of Grace' — Matthew 26:10-13

Thursday, November 25, 2021

[The disciples said that the expensive perfume the woman used to anoint Jesus should have been sold and the money given to the poor.] But Jesus, aware of this, replied, "Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed."
— Matthew 26:10-13 NLT

Key Thought

Part of the Good News wherever it is preached! Wow, what a promise, but the very fact that we're reading this story is proof that this promise is true. The last will be first, the scorned will be honored, and the poor will be made rich. Those were also Jesus' promises. He is the validation of his promises and so is this woman whose generosity is extravagantly appropriate for the Son of God who is about to be rejected, scorned, persecuted, reviled, humiliated, and murdered. How can the response to such a gift as Jesus' not be extravagant? How can my response to such grace not be boundless? How can I treat God's unrestrained mercy, love, and grace with just the normal and restrained thank-you's of day-to-day thanks? God's gift is so generous and Jesus' sacrifice is so great, how can I offer only a token word of gratitude and praise?

Today's Prayer

Holy and gracious God, you have given me so much in Jesus. I want to thank you and praise you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and grace. I want to live extravagantly for your glory and praise you with unrestrained joy and praise. You are worthy of all that I am and have, and yet even all that I am and have pales into insignificance compared to what Jesus has done for me. Thank you, in Jesus' gracious name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Romans 5:6-9
  • 1 Peter 1:3-4, 8-9
  • Luke 7:44-47

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 26:10-13 NLT — "Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me?"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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