We Give Up Fear of Rejection

Day 37 of Lenten Devotional Series

Mark 14:1-11

14 Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages[a] and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you,[b] and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world,what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

The woman entered Simon's house carrying a jar of valuable perfume, intent on showing her love and devotion to this humble carpenter who had healed the blind, driven out demons, and offered forgiveness to even those considered the "worst" of sinners. What did she think as she stood outside the door of the house? Did her thoughts race nervously or her hands shake as she held the alabaster jar? Did she know Jesus would warmly receive her gesture or did she fear bothering the Master? Did she anticipate disapproval from the other guests? She was, after all, a woman disrupting a visit in someone else's home. 

The woman could have found a less risky way to show her faithfulness. She could have watched for a more obscure opportunity and been more reserved with her actions. But she was so captivated by this Jesus that calculated expressions of love just weren't enough. If she felt any fear of being rejected by Jesus or anyone else at Simon's house, it wasn't strong enough to stop her. The fear wasn't stronger than her love.

This Lent let us give up the fear of rejection. Let us choose to give love extravagantly intstead of in safe, careful measurements. Let our love, sincerity, and wholeheartedness grow until they far outweigh any fear of rejection.

1 John 4:18 

There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out fear.