3. Our actions based on our relationship with Christ could endanger us. Mary would be at the dinner for Jesus with her brother Lazarus and her sister Martha. Once again, we find Martha serving while Lazarus is sitting down to eat with others. Mary would come in and pour very expensive perfume oil on Jesus' feet and wipe them with her hair. First of all, just her body position would have been a call for alarm, but the fact that she used her hair would have been considered sexual. Back in those times women covered their heads, so using your hair on a man's body would have been very risky. Mary had taken a huge risk in anointing Jesus with this perfume. The perfume was also very expensive. Many at the table including Judas would question her choice in pouring this perfume on Jesus. Mary had to know she would get questioned and even accused of something worse. Mary loved her God and he was worth it to her. — John 12:1-8

Tell me:  Is our God worth it to you? Would you be willing to give up a month's salary to Jesus? A year's? Would you give away your best coat, your favorite piece of jewelry, and your best set of dishes, your TV, or your car? How much is Jesus worth to you? Mary knew what He was worth to her.

4. Mary planned for the future.
Judas said this perfume could have been sold to feed the hungry. Jesus knew that Judas didn't care to feed the hungry but his real care was for himself.

"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." — John 12:4-8

Mary knew that this perfume was not only a symbol of her value for Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, but also in preparation for his burial. She knew he was going to die. He would die for our sins. She invested in Christ for "our" future. For the next generation and so on. What an amazing woman she was! Do you think she could have ever known how her actions have affected so many generations? What about your actions?

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. — Psalm 71:18

5. Jesus will affirm and protect the righteous.

"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. — John 12:7

Wow, leave her alone. Do you realize that Jesus will speak on your behalf? That Jesus will protect you when you are doing His work. That he will go before you and prepare the path. Recently I was eating lunch with some friends. I waited to see if any of them would speak to our waiter and invite him to church. I am sad to say that no one spoke up. Most of the time I am the one who speaks up and asks their name. I know from being a waitress in my younger days and from asking waiters, they really don't like "Christians". They tell us we tip horribly, demand too much service and then leave tracts on the table like we have done some amazing thing. Woo hoo for us!

Well, I have decided I want to be different. I want to build a relationship with my waiter. I know I can go to any restaurant in the world and have any waiter, but God gave me this waiter at this restaurant. What would be my part? You see, it's not about me, it's about Christ and the future generations. As I began to talk to the waiters, I would find out so much information. You find out they are people who have needs and desires just like you. Then it hits you:  God has prepared this path for us to meet. God has gone before me to align this up. God is affirming my actions by the seeds that are planted.