A Doggy Bag Please?

 

"I wonder maybe if our Lord does not suffer more from our indifference than He did from the crucifixion." 

~ Fulton JJ. Sheen, Bishop of Rochester 

It's Easter week and ham is served in many Christian homes across America for Easter dinner.  But what to do with all that leftover ham?  The grossest sounding recipe I've seen so far (and my apologies to the chef because in all fairness I did not make this recipe to see how good it was) is leftover ham tacos with salsa.  If ever there was a cross-cultural mishap in my mind.  

Are you in the habit of taking your leftovers home from a restaurant?  Somehow, they are never quite as good as the original meal.  And the French have traditionally turned their nose down at doggy bags and consider it a huge insult to ask for one.  Why would you not just enjoy the food at the  meal?  The ingredients are the freshest and at their peak intended flavor combination, designed to offer you the finest culinary experience at the hands of a chef.The master chef gave his all to prepare the meal for us to partake fully .

It reminds me of the woman who anointed Jesus' feet a few days before He was crucified:

"Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy.  While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over His head.  The disciples were indignant when they saw this.  "What a waste!" they said.  "It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor."  But Jesus, aware of this, replied, "Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me?  You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.  She has poured this perfume on Me to prepare My body for burial.  I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News Is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed." Matthew 26:6-13 

Think of the disciples' response, and before judging too quickly think about what ours would have been- sometimes do we get absorbed in the works and neglect to worship Jesus?  

Do we give Him our leftovers after our best is dispensed on other things?  Jesus spent the days leading up to His death telling others through parables that the heart is what matters to God.  He repeatedly called out the Jewish leaders as hypocrites who only cared what the outside looked like.  

How often do we get caught up in trying to walk the walk on our own, out of habit, without focusing on aligning ourselves with God's desires for our lives.  Is the familiar so easy that its' roteness diminishes the love that it should convey?  Are we weary from the day and shoot up the token prayer before meals or bedtime?  Or in such a hurry that He is only allowed the 10 minute quiet time?  I know I do sometimes.

When we give meals to someone, listen to a sadness or encourage a victory, are we really listening with God's ears and responding with His kindness?  Are people left feeling really loved, appreciated and noticed?  Imagine Jesus looking at each person, straight into their eyes and hugging their hearts.

Even Jesus' closest companions at the time didn't seem to appreciate a kinship with Him for what He was about to do.  It's hard to know what was in their hearts until we can talk to them in heaven, but Jesus recognized that this woman was adoring Him for the Savior He was, with her most valuable possessions.  Her acts of worship were not leftovers - she gave Him her finest and her single-minded devotion.  

He loves us and this week is a reminder of the extent of that Love.  Because He sacrificed Himself on the cross for our sins can we sit at His feet and worship Him for the Loving Savior He is?  All else is secondary and will always be around until Jesus comes back.

How can we give Jesus our finest of ourselves today and not our leftovers?

✙ Dear Heavenly Father, this week is the holiest of weeks for us as Your followers.  You walked among us and felt mankind's hurts and sins.  We want to be purified on the inside so our works are an extension of the love You showed us.  Remove judgment and busyness from our lives so that we can focus on worshipping You.  Amen.