Senseless Acts of Beauty
The phrase "Practice Random Kindness & Senseless Acts of beauty", written by Anne Herbert on a PLACEMAT in Sausalito, Ca. in 1982, was meant to be the antithesis of "random acts of violence and senseless acts of cruelty". Her book published in 1993 described true stories of acts of kindness. A random act of kindness is defined as “a selfless act performed by kind people to either help or cheer up a random stranger, for no reason other than to make people happier.
We have all performed these “Random Acts of Kindness” by paying the fast-food bill for the driver behind you at Chick-Fil-A or McDonalds. Even these little things that we do for others require a sacrifice of our “time talent or money.” “David said I refuse to give a sacrifice that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).
Mark 14:1-9 is a story of loving devotion revealing the true measure of Christian service.” When Mary of Bethany broke the box of precious ointment and poured it on Jesus’ head, it was an “Extravagant Act of Worship.” The disciples said it was a waste of money, but Jesus commended Mary for her lavish act of devotion and said that wherever His gospel was preached “this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”
The setting for this story begins in verses 1 and 2 amid the chaos of the Passover and the deceit of religious leaders who were secretly plotting to kill Jesus “but not during the festival or the people may riot”. The Jewish leaders feared men but did not fear God! They feared the crowds more than they feared the crime. Judas solved the problem of how the Jewish leaders could arrest Jesus without causing a riot during the feast. He soon sold his Master for the price of a slave.
In verse 3, while Jesus is relaxing with his friends “A woman (Mary) came with an alabaster jar of extremely expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head.” This was done in full display of a room full of people. It was done against cultural convention as a woman normally would not approach a man in this setting except to serve him food.
Although Mary’s graceful act of devotion and adoration is one of the most beautiful on record, the disciple’s response was: “It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor, and they rebuked her harshly.” It was more like more like a response of Indignant, Snorting, Mocking, Bristling, Murmuring, Scolding anger! It conveyed the idea of harshness, displeasure, and disgust. Mark 14:4 -5.
In Verse 6, Jesus rebuked the disciples of whom Judas was the most indignant. “Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” He knew her heart and loving devotion so unique in its thoughtfulness, in its lavishness, and in its timeliness.
In verse 7, Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.” If we place these words in the mouth of the Son of God who “for your sake became poor so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9) then they make all the sense in the world.
Jesus concluded in verse 8 and 9, “She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.” Because of her spiritual sensitivity, she discerned the right work at the right time. As a result, Christ promised that this small service would be multiplied to global proportions and repeated in three of the gospels. Mary has been a blessing to the entire world—and still is! The Lord’s prediction has certainly been fulfilled.
Our Call to Action - Spiritual Inventory
How could we be more extravagant in our praise and worship?
How could we be more extravagant in our giving?
How could we be more extravagant in our service for Christ – our evangelism of the lost; our building up of the saints?
§ How can we be more like Mary and less like the grumbling Disciples?
Bring to the Saviour what you have, the best you have, all you have. He will receive it. It may seem a poor little thing to others, but if it is the love gift of your heart, it will be precious in His sight. Do what you can!
Listen to “Alabaster Heart” – By Kalley
“Let it rise like incense my whole life a fragrance “
“Every ounce here broken at Your feet”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoFeWN6QPuc
~ Steve Byers and his wife Debbie have lived in the Charlotte area since 2017 and have been attending LIFE Fellowship for five years. Steve is a musician and songwriter and sings in the Oxygen Choir. Steve and Debbie, have one son, Josh and a daughter-in-law, Avery. They are grand parents to Jaxon and Grayson.