Time To Live

Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.” John 12:7

D.L. MOODY
I can imagine Mary thought that if she waited until Jesus was dead she might not have a chance to anoint His body, and so she came before His death to anoint Him. There is a lesson there. How very kind and thoughtful we are to a family that has lost some member, and what kind words are said after the person is dead and gone! Would it not be better to say a few of those good things before they go? Wouldn’t it be well to give some of your bouquets before a man dies, and not go and load down his coffin?

ERWIN LUTZER
You might be surprised how difficult it is for people to commend their family and friends while they are alive. It might be due to unacknowledged resentment, feeling that no one has given us words of support and praise. One of the saddest stories I heard was of a father whose son died. At the funeral, the father put a note in his dead son’s hand that read simply, “I love you.” I wonder how many times the father said that to his son when he was alive? 
As Moody pointed out, Mary, at great personal cost, expressed her love for Christ while He was alive, that is, before His crucifixion. Thankfully, we can express our love for Him even now since He was raised from the dead and is in heaven today. In fact, bow your head and do that right now. And then ask God to bring someone to mind today that you can bless with a word of appreciation and encouragement. Don’t wait until they die. 
Let me, like Mary, though the gloom,
Come with a gift to Thee; 
Show to me now the empty tomb,
Lead me to Calvary.

PRAYER
Father, I love you, but I do long to love you more. Increase my love for you and others.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Like Mary, how can you express your love for Christ?

How can you encourage someone in your life today? What has the Lord placed on your heart to tell them?