Jesus reclined at a table in the home of Simon the Leper — a man once cast out, untouchable, unclean. But not anymore. Now, he’s hosting a dinner party with Jesus at the center. (Mark 14: 3-5)
That’s what happens when Jesus heals. It’s never partial. It’s full. It’s complete.
Jesus’s restoration process always goes beyond the surface. Not just health, but identity. Not just recovery, but reintegration. A man once labeled by his condition is now the setting for worship. The same should be true of us.
When God steps into our lives, His aim isn’t a bandage…ever. It’s resurrection. He wants to restore what was lost — all the way back to Eden.
Life.
Love.
Power.
Intimacy with Him.
Then Mary walks in.
She doesn’t say a word. She simply breaks open a vial of perfume worth a year’s wages and pours it out over Jesus. The scent would’ve filled the room. It may have even lingered in His hair and clothing during His arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
Her devotion became a fragrance that may have followed Him all the way to the cross.
But as soon as she gave, the criticism started. Some scolded her. They called it waste. They did the math. They judged the optics. But Jesus didn’t and even today, He never does.
How often do we find ourselves shrinking back from moments like this — moments where we feel the pull to love boldly, give deeply, act extravagantly — only to hesitate because of how it might look? Or, we hesitate to RECEIVE what God and others want to pour back on us?
I know that feeling. When someone honors me unexpectedly, I often find it hard to receive with humility and joy. There’s still a residue of unworthiness I’m working through as if I have to earn every good thing that comes my way.
But if God calls me worthy, who am I to disagree?
Simon was restored. Mary was bold. Jesus was honored. And we are called to live the same way — unshackled from past labels and unbothered by the crowd’s opinion.
Live free. Love deeply. Worship boldly.
It’s not a waste.
It’s the point.
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