Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
A Walk with the Master Series
Adoration
Mark 14:3-9
And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. Mar 14:4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? Mar 14:5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. Mar 14:6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. Mar 14:7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. Mar 14:8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. Mar 14:9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
In our Walk with the Master series, we now come to the time just before His crucifixion. Jesus has been invited to dine with a Pharisee who had received a miraculous healing. This dinner was in the town of Bethany, and Lazarus was there as a guest, as well as Mary his sister, according to John 12:2-3. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
During the meal, Mary entered with ointment and there anointed Jesus with that expensive oil. This act of adoration was misunderstood by the disciples who were there, but especially by Judas Iscariot who was the treasurer for the group, and also a thief. He was the one who betrayed Jesus. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it (Joh 12:4-6).
Jesus rebuked them for their attitudes and explained that her act was much more than they realized. Its purpose was to prepare Him for His burial which would take place in the next few days.
Mary understood the teaching of Christ much better than even the Lord’s disciples, for she realized that He was going to die for the sins of all mankind. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.
This act of adoration was one which will be remembered as long as the Scriptures exist. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
Our lives should be lived with adoration for the Savior. All that He has done for us should to be remembered daily. Our salvation, sanctification, and fellowship with the Lord are but a few of the many reasons that we should forever love the Lord and praise Him with all of our hearts.
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Bible Reading for the Year
May 20th, 1 Chronicles 6-7; John 8:21-36
Prayer Needs
Please pray for Jimmy and Donna Dixon. Jimmy’s father passed away last Thursday afternoon. The funeral was held Tuesday the 19th in Roanoke Rapids.
Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan. He has been transferred to a rehab facility. This will be an intense time of recovery, and he covets your prayers for strength and stamina throughout the process.
Please pray for Shirley Deans. Shirley saw the ear, throat, and nose doctor about her throat cancer. She had a PET scan on Friday, May 15th over her entire body. On the 27th she will see the cancer doctor about the PET scan, and on the 28th she will have surgery to biopsy a lymph node in her neck.
Please also pray for Kenny Deans. He is continuing treatment for his leg. He will also be seeing a doctor about possible kidney stones.
Please pray for Peggy Warren. She is still in a lot of pain.
Please continue praying for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. She is having stomach issues caused by the medication. Please continue to pray for complete healing.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. He fell and broke several ribs, but he is feeling better now. He has started a new medication for his lung disease.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia