In 1633 Galileo stood trial for theorizing that the earth revolved around the sun, and not the other way around. This may be a simple truth today, but at the time he was found “vehemently suspect of heresy.” This understanding of how the solar system worked challenged the ideas people had about the foundation of their existence. Those who rejected it would have a faulty understanding of the center of life. Those who accepted it could build their understanding of life on the proper foundation of truth.
Spiritually speaking, we need to come to the same realization as Galileo: people are not the center of the universe. We often act as if the world revolves around our needs and desires, but in reality our lives should revolve around Christ. Whether we accept or reject God as the center of our lives will impact how we live. After Jesus is anointed a few days before His death, Matthew 26:6-13 records Jesus instructing His disciples to reorient their lives with Him at the center.
6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” – Matthew 26:6-13
- A life centered around Jesus will be lived with urgency
While this passage does not clearly state Mary’s intention for anointing Jesus, it is very possible she was aware of the threats and plots to kill Him soon. Just like Mary, we must understand that there is limited time to obey and glorify God on this earth. We must be intentional to make the most of each day for our sanctification and other’s salvation.
- A life centered around Jesus is lived as worship
The disciples thought this was a wasteful use of expensive perfume, but Jesus calls it beautiful. The ultimate purpose of our lives is to have a loving relationship with God. When Jesus is truly the center of our lives, we will seek His glory above making a personal impact.
- A life centered around Jesus is lived sacrificially
Mary was willing to give up something extremely valuable to honor Jesus before His death. God can do much more with our sacrifices than we could on our own. He will always make sure we have what we need, and what He does with everything else will leave an impact that outlasts our lifetime.
God is far more concerned with our lives being centered on His love than on personal religious actions. Just as the earth orbits the sun, our lives should revolve around the Son of God.
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