The Extravagance of Love

I recently preachied a lesson about the anointing of Jesus by Mary, the sister of Lazarus. You can read accounts of the story in Matthew 26 or John 12, but I drew mostly from the account in Mark 14:3-9.

I told the story, hoping to get the folks to visualize the scene, put themselves in the room as Mary breaks the alabaster box filled with expensive perfume and anoints her Teacher from head to toe. It was an extravagant expression of love.

I suggested three applications for our assembly. I expounded on them more in the pulpit than in this post, though maybe they will be elaborated on in the comment thread.

First, those who love can see the benefits of extravagant expressions; they know there is value in them.

Second, and similarly, those who do not love, cannot see the value, they see only the waste.

Third, and most important in my mind, love seizes the opportunity to express itself. Once missed the opportunity is gone.

What is the condition of your alabaster box?