wild abandon

Opening Prayer:  Every single drop, Lord Jesus.  She gave you every single drop.  She poured all she had to give upon your head, because of love.  Help me to see her example and be willing to follow in her steps.  Amen.

Scripture: Mark 14:1-9

Journal:  Where do you find yourself in this story?  Who can you relate to the most?  Why?  What would it look like for you to love Jesus with the same wild abandon?  How do you find yourself criticizing those who do so?  What does that tell you?

Reflection:  There is a love that is filled with wild abandon.  It is the kind of love that throws caution to the wind.  The kind of love that holds nothing back.  The kind of love that takes a jar of costly perfume, breaks it, and pours every drop upon the head of Jesus.  It is a love that has no regard for self, a love that does not ask, “What’s in it for me?”  It is a love that cannot contain itself.  The kind of love that fills the heart to overflowing in such a way that it has no choice but to pour itself out on the One who is both the source and the object of that affection.

It is also a love that evokes a strong reaction from those looking on.  Those who wish they had the courage and the passion to do that very thing themselves, but were unwilling to do so.  Instead, they stand at a distance, they rebuke and hurl insults.  They comment and criticize.  If they cannot bring themselves up to a love that is so demanding and so complete, then they will just bring the lovers down.  These rebukers are the ones who are unwilling to let go, unwilling to abandon all, unwilling to love and be loved so fully and completely.  

The contrast is stark, and meant to invite each of us to consider our own love.  Do we love Jesus that way?  Are we willing to let go of all, no matter what the cost?  Are we willing to pour everything out, every single drop?  Are we so completely seized by the power of his great affection that we hold nothing back?  And is anything less really love at all?

Prayer

Closing Prayer:  Lord Jesus, you love us with wild abandon and require us to do the same.  Anything less is simply not love.  Capture our hearts, O Lord, and seize us with the power of your great affection, so that we give you ourselves completely, with no holding back.  Amen.