Best Flowers, Best Oil, Best Friend

My dad sends my mom flowers every other week. The arrangements are simple, a dozen roses, some daisies, or her favorite, hydrangeas.

But every other week, usually on Monday or Tuesday, flowers are delivered to her, and they sit on her desk, greeting clients and brightening up an otherwise normal, mundane CPA’s office.

I asked him once why he spent so much money on flowers, the frugal muscle in me flexing at the thought of throwing a hundred bucks away on bouquets you could get from the grocery store and stick in a cheap vase.

His answer was simple: “Your mother is worth it.” My dad, the hopeless romantic.

I like to think that those twice-monthly delivered flowers, the beautiful arrangements in colorful vases, are an anchor of their relationship. My dad telling my mom I love you with the very best flowers he can send.

Jesus is given a gift in the Gospel today—expensive oil, poured over His feet while He is with His friends, sharing a meal. Martha, Lazarus, and Mary are spending time with the Jesus they knew and loved. And Mary celebrates his presence.

The three would’ve been so grateful to have Him there. Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, after all. Martha probably knew (and prepared) His favorite foods. Mary loved to listen to His stories, probably learning something new each time.

Their time together was so valuable and precious. And so Mary celebrates him. She serves Him. She gives Him the very best.

It makes no sense to penny pinching, greedy Judas, and it almost makes no sense to us. Dumping oil on feet? Sending flowers each month? What’s the point? Save your money. Do it the cheap way. Spend it on something else.

But Jesus is worth it because He is there with them. He is worth the very best—in this case, expensive, fragrant oil.

So when He is with me, do I both rejoice in His presence and give Him the very best I have to offer? Jesus is worth it.

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Jesus is worth it. // @KatiePrejean Click to tweet

What do you want to offer to Jesus today? Pick something small or large, just make it meaningful.