Thursday, March 22, 2018

You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.

Mark 14:1-11
Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. 
“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.
 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.
Jesus public ministry is at an end. As the Passover festival approaches events move swiftly to a climax. Against a dark backcloth of hatred and treachery shines the story of one woman's love for the Lord.
It was common courtesy to pour a little perfume on arriving guests. Perfume was also used to anoint a body for burial. And the word 'Messiah' means the 'one anointed' for God's service. Perhaps intuitively(直觀地) sensing the tragedy ahead. Mary pours out the whole flash of precious perfumed oil in a lavish, extravagant(靡奢) gesture of affection. ( A working man earned one denarius/ 'silver coin' a day. This luxury import was worth nearly a year's wages.) John(12:1-8) places the event some days earlier and tells us the unpleasant truth about Judas' embezzlement(侵占) of the funds.
Why?
Most people watch matter from point of the world and common sense to critisize them. But Jesus knew what these event means to Him. He is Messiah, the anointed one.
But you will not always have me. Jesus will be on the cross and leave them soon. Christians always have their own mind but do not always walking with Jesus.
Poverty can never be overcome right? So don't get too worried about tackling poverty and injustice sonny-boy. It's a problem that simply can't be solved. I reckon Jesus actually meant the OPPOSITE of what we usually take him to mean here. It seems to me that Jesus was actually advocating generosity and action to eradicate(根除) poverty, rather than hands-up-in-the-air, shoulder-shrugging聳肩 apathy冷漠. It seems to me that Jesus was actually advocating generosity and action to eradicate poverty, rather than hands-up-in-the-air, shoulder-shrugging apathy.
At least half the world’s population lives on the edge of survival because of the effects of poverty. How can we remain indifferent to their plight? Ask God to show you ways you can help those whose lives are crushed by poverty. In addition, don’t forget the greatest poverty of all–which is poverty of soul. Is Christ the center of your life, and are you seeking to tell others about the peace and joy He brings to all who open their hearts to Him?
How?
Doing beautiful thing and help the needed people as I can.


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