Palm Sunday

This powerful message centers on a remarkable act of worship found in Mark 14, where Mary anoints Jesus with an entire jar of perfume worth a year's wages just days before His crucifixion. We're challenged to examine whether our lives are truly guided by worship of Jesus or whether we merely fit worship into lives dictated by other priorities. The account is sandwiched between stories of hatred—the chief priests plotting Jesus's death and Judas's betrayal—making Mary's extravagant love stand out even more brilliantly. What makes this story particularly convicting is that Mary faced criticism not from outsiders, but from fellow followers of Jesus who questioned her 'wasteful' act. Yet Jesus defended her, declaring that her story would be told wherever the gospel is preached. This prophecy has come true across two millennia and countless cultures. We're invited to consider what truly valuable thing we're holding back from Jesus, rationalizing that a partial offering is 'enough.' The message reminds us that when we truly grasp who Jesus is—our Savior who stepped in front of death for us—no sacrifice seems too great. Living with 'open hands' means surrendering everything to Him: our families, finances, careers, and futures, trusting that He who is worthy of it all will use it all for His glory and our good.