A Matter Of Priority

You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. [Matthew 26.11]

Spoken by Jesus, the words above carry profound importance and insight into the Kingdom of God.

According to the Gospel of John, the woman who anointed Jesus with the costly perfume in this story (worth a year's wages) was Mary the sister of Martha - both dear friends of Jesus.

The disciples (particularly Judas according to John's Gospel) were, on one hand, rightly indignant that such expensive perfume was used to anoint Jesus. But on the other hand they still did not yet understand Who they were in the company of even though they were doing their best to follow His teachings.

Among the things that Jesus highlighted over and again as very Kingdom-important was the treatment of those who were unable to care for themselves - the poor, widows, orphans, etc... In their ignorance, the disciples thought they could easily default to that priority and certainly be in the right. But they were wrong.

What the disciples failed to understand was that, important as benevolence may be, there is no point in it without the priority of an understanding relationship with Jesus the Messiah.

Yes, all the do-good organizations in the world are pointless if Jesus is not exalted in and by them as King.

All the efforts of the church are pointless if Jesus is not exalted in and by them as King.

All the efforts of us as individuals are pointless if Jesus is not exalted in and by us as King.

We simply must be in relationship with God through the work of Jesus on our behalf. Of course, that relationship will then guide our mold our benevolence in the world.

Father, help me to keep my priority right - to seek first Your Kingdom - a relationship with You - that will then order my steps in the earth.