Title: Great March for Love/ Matthew 26:1~16
Content: Great March for Love/ Matthew 26:1~16
Key Verse: “The poor are always with you, but I will not always be with you” (verse 11).
Word: Everyone wants to be happy because of love. So, the world is all about ‘love’, but it is not so easy to find people who are happy because of love.
In this text, the Lord Himself proceeds toward the end after completing the so-called ‘strengthening of the Mount of Olives’ (Mt 24-25), that is, the end-time lesson (verse 1). Because He loves humans, He is going the way of the cross (verse 2). This 'March of Love' was not able to stop the evil gang, the betrayal of the disciple, or even death. A love stronger than death is pushing the Lord away (1 Corinthians 15:55,57).
But here, there is one person who responds beautifully like a duet to the lonely march of love, a woman who breaks the alabaster and washes the feet of Jesus with perfumed oil. It is truly a beautiful scene of love. Then how can we live together with the Lord, playing this beautiful melody of love?
There are two things to keep in mind before starting a love affair. Love is a will, not an emotion. The Lord repeatedly foretells the Passion before the march of love on the cross (verse 2). This is a ‘willful decision’ for love. The same is true of the religious life. Sometimes, even if you don't have the heart to pray, even if you don't want to admit your mistakes, or even if you don't feel like forgiving, when you obey the Word and do it voluntarily, the joy and happiness of true love will follow.
Love is wasteful. It must be a waste to break the alabaster and wash Jesus' feet with expensive perfume. It is natural to hear criticism (verses 8-9). But love is not a matter of logic or rational calculation. Loving your parents, loving your children, and loving the church are things that cannot be measured with money. In this way, because love is willful and wasteful, suffering follows. But at the same time, there is always joy in the field of love. That joy is far greater than the pain, and it is able to overcome everything. Because of that love, the Lord is refreshed and satisfied. “He has done good to me” (verse 10).
Are you in love now? If there is no joy in your life, ask 'love' first. If you are incapacitated or tasteless, try to see if there is love in your heart. Only when you are filled with love and the love of Jesus, your rough life will turn into a love duet, a love march with the Lord.
Prayer: Pray for a life in which we can squander our treasures for love by voluntarily practicing love rather than seeking it. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord's Prayer