An Humble Posture

In Matthew 26, we read the story of two people who were around Jesus, but had very different postures of the heart. We’re first introduced to Mary who enters the house of Simon as Jesus is eating. This is the same Mary that was sitting at His feet previously while her sister Martha was busy working. She quietly walked over to Jesus with a jar of perfume that would have cost a year’s wages. She then broke it open and poured it on His head as an act of worship. She was humble, grateful and surrendered, but the disciples got angry at her saying they could have sold the perfume and given the money to the poor. Jesus rebuked them and said this act of worship will be remembered forever and discussed world wide.

Immediately after this story, we follow one of Jesus’s 12 disciples as he goes to meet the leading priests of Jerusalem. His name is Judas. He also gets directly to the point. He immediately asks, “‘How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?’” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver” (NLT). Where her perfume cost a year’s wages, this 30 pieces of silver was a few month’s wages. After receiving the money, he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. While Mary went looking to give, Judas went with the intent to get. He was selfish, controlling and hard of heart. Both of the people were around Jesus, but only one had a change of heart.

Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” How is the posture of your heart toward Jesus? Are you seeking what you can give Him, or are you looking for what you can get from Him? This simple prayer from the Psalms gives Him permission to check the posture of your heart. These stories prove you can be close to Jesus and miss Him completely. It’s a good practice to invite Him to search you and know your heart often. Repeat this prayer and then give Him space to answer as you sit at His feet in a posture of humility.

Photo by Victoria Wang on Unsplash