“Looking Up During Uncertain Times”

A Daily Devotional

Text:  Mark 14:3-9 International Children’s Bible

Scripture Reading: 

A Woman with Perfume for Jesus

3 Jesus was in Bethany. He was at dinner in the house of Simon, who had a harmful skin disease. While Jesus was there, a woman came to him. She had an alabaster jar filled with very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. The woman opened the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head.

4 Some of those who were there saw this and became angry. They complained to each other, saying, “Why waste that perfume? 5 It was worth a full year’s work. It could be sold, and the money could be given to the poor.” They spoke to the woman sharply.

6 Jesus said, “Don’t bother the woman. Why are you troubling her? She did a beautiful thing for me. 7 You will always have the poor with you. You can help them anytime you want. But you will not always have me. 8 This woman did the only thing she could do for me. She poured perfume on my body. She did this before I die to prepare me for burial. 9 I tell you the truth. The Good News will be told to people in all the world. And in every place it is preached, what this woman has done will be told. And people will remember her.”

Reflection: 

Those around Jesus didn’t understand that Jesus was going to be dying soon. After Jesus died, he didn’t receive the traditional treatment of his body. The anointing of perfume and Jesus’ words made more sense after he died. Have you ever had something not make sense until later on? Would you have understood Jesus’ words if you were in the room when the perfume was poured?

Prayer: 

Dear God,you take care of things we don’t even understand at the time. Thank you! Amen.

Focus for the Day: Understanding Jesus’ Story

Author: Rachel Dudley, Director of Children’s Ministry