Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Mark 14:1-9

The unnamed woman who came and anointed Jesus with pure nard as he lay reclining at the table was acting out of love and sacrificial devotion. What she did held deep spiritual significance. It honoured Jesus as King and, by its extravagance, it spoke of her worship.

Yet “some of those present” were outraged by what they perceived as her wastefulness, and they rebuked her harshly. Their words of arrogant condescension revealed their disregard for the woman’s deep devotion to Jesus and their lack of understanding about Jesus’ identity as King. Their words were not only an insult to the woman but also to Jesus. And while I sincerely hope that she didn’t care one little bit what they thought, and that all that mattered to her was how she had blessed Jesus in response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, it is easy to imagine the hurt their words might have inflicted. We all know the pain of harsh, cutting words laced with condescension and disrespect!

In stark contrast to their destructive words, Jesus’ words of affirmation and kindness must have brought incredible joy and healing to her. He appreciated her, He received her love, He noticed and was grateful for the deeper significance of her actions, and He honoured her sacrifice and effort publicly. His words silenced her critics and must have erased any painful effect their words might otherwise have had on her well-being.

Let’s understand the power of our words today, and let’s choose to go through the day defeating the power of destruction through speaking words of life, hope, love and kindness to everyone we can.

Amen!