She entered his home uninvited – this woman carrying an expensive jar of perfume. The host never would’ve permitted her to dine with men of their stature. She knew that, but it didn’t stop her from doing what she came to do.
She pressed on, ignoring the whispers and condescending glances.
Her purpose won out over the what-ifs she felt. With one courageous step after another, she followed her passion. Her most valuable possession poured out that day in an act of overflowing love for her Savior.
The invited guests didn’t fully understand the importance of that moment as she wept at Jesus’ feet. But her sacrifice of praise from an Alabaster jar would be remembered forever.
I wonder what I would’ve thought if I’d been sitting at the dinner table that day. Would I have shot questioning glances her way? Would I have followed the crowd and whispered unkind words?
Or would I have the courage to do something as bold as she did?
This brave woman came to mind this week as I read Matthew 25 in our 100 Days with Christ reading plan.
In this chapter, Jesus told a parable about a master who left bags of gold in the care of three servants. To the first man, he gave five bags. To another, he gave two bags. And to the third man, he gave one bag of gold.
The first two men invested the gold the master gave them, but the man with one bag dug a hole in the ground and buried it. When the master returned, the man said he buried the gold because he was afraid.
He didn’t want to take a risk, so he played it safe.
“So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground.” Matthew 25:25 NIV
Because of this, the master called him a “wicked, lazy servant,” and took the bag of gold away.
I never quite understood why the master reacted so harshly. After all, he was just doing what he thought was best. So he hid the money, kind of like hiding valuables under a mattress. What’s the harm in that?
But as I read the passage again this week, one word stood out among the rest…
Afraid.
Fear stopped him from taking a risk.
I can totally relate. Maybe you can, too.
We’ve all been given a great gift, more precious than a bag of gold. But sometimes I take what God’s given me and hide it away for safe keeping. Not because I don’t want to share it, but because I’m afraid.
Afraid of what people might say.
Afraid of leaving my comfort zone.
Afraid of what could happen.
Afraid of stepping out with passion.
So because of fear, I play it safe. But through this parable, Jesus teaches an important truth for us all.
God didn’t call us to play it safe. He called us to be courageous.
Just like the woman with the Alabaster jar.
It’s so easy in today’s world to choose safety, to be like the servant with one bag of gold. I can find every excuse to reject taking risks for God.
The woman who anointed Jesus’ feet took the more difficult path. She had many reasons to stop, but her faith propelled her forward. Her actions pleased the Master, and that meant everything.
So let’s lay excuses aside today. Let’s find inspiration from Jesus’ teaching when we’re tempted to hide away in fear. God is ready to see us step beyond our comfort and move into whatever He calls us to do.
He is ready for us to choose courage.
* * *
What a delight to welcome Kristine Brown to True and Faithful today. Kristine is a Texas girl with a huge heart for teaching — both the teens in her local school and God’s Word to women in her ministry. She’s been studying 100 Days with Christ right along with us and I’m so glad we got to hear her wisdom for this week’s study.
Kristine Brown is a communicator at heart who teaches about God’s powerful, relatable Word. She is the author of Over It. Conquering Comparison to Live Out God’s Plan and founder of the non-profit organization, More Than Yourself, Inc. Kristine writes about her God-story and helps others discover their own at www.kristinebrown.net. Connect with Kristine on Facebook at More Than Yourself.
I’ve often wondered the same things. What thoughts ran through her mind? Where did she get such courage? Thank you for this lovely and powerful post!
Thank you Joy! I agree, this type of courage could only come from the genuine love for her Savior. May we all have this level of courage!
I am convicted that my life has been one of “playing it safe.” I have fear of rejection and it makes me non-confrontive even passive in the face of any type of disagreement. I also thought this was the way Christ wanted me to be, meek and mild. That is not a picture of what my Lord looks like. He stood up to the Pharisees of His day and called them a brood of vipers and white-washed tombs. Harsh words to the elite of the religious Pharisees. I need to be discerning and wise in my words, not in fear, but in touch with the Lord’s direction. Thank you for these words to follow my Lord with courage that comes from His life within.
This is a powerful comment, Kathy. I have often had to pray about this myself. It is true, meekness can be a good thing. There are times when God calls us to be meek, and times when he calls us to be bold. You are right that we should pray for discernment and wisdom to see how Jesus would respond. Thank you for these wise words!
Oh, Kristine!! I SO needed to read this today! I just love how you bring the Bible to life! Today I’m choosing courage! XO
Thank you my friend! I’ve chosen the ‘play it safe’ road many times, but when it comes to stepping out in faith for Jesus? Courage is the way to go!
This is perfect for me today. Just last week we read this story in Mark and had such a great discussion in our Bible study. I love this thought: “Her most valuable possession poured out that day in an act of overflowing love for her Savior.”
I’ve always had that same question myself about the parable of the talents. Yes, God is calling us to courageously use our gifts and talents. 🙂
Thanks Betsy. Yes, that parable has always been a bit of a puzzle for me. I was thankful to read it again through this Bible reading plan. I think it wasn’t the action itself, but a heart thing – not what he did, but why he did it. I’m so thankful Jesus taught so many lessons about the heart<3 He knew exactly what we would need!
Thank you so very much for this timely post! What I realized as I read it was that no matter how familiar the parables of Jesus might seem, there is always something to learn each and every time I read them.
Beautiful!
Jennifer
Jennifer, that is so true! I like to pray before I read and ask God to reveal new things to me through His Word. I believe that is why His Word is alive and active. Thank you for the comment!
Jennifer and Kristine, I’ve been asking God to give me fresh eyes for his gospels. So many of the parables and narratives are so familiar, but I don’t know there’s more every time we get into the Word. Thank you, so much, Kristine, for the insight you brought by comparing these 2 stories.
This parable should have been in my mind all the years I have held back from doing God’s will – now I am listening and writing and listening as I continue to battle the fear of people rejecting what I might say – but I know that I must always have the courage to do what God wishes, and not let what others might say hold me back from His wishes. Thank you for the encouragement.