Extravagant Devotion Series ~(Part 5) Mary Stayed Focused

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Scripture reference John 12:1-8
Continuing our Extravagant Devotion Series. “Extravagant” means "exceeding the limit of reason or necessity, lacking in moderation, balance and restraint, extremely or excessively elaborate and spending much more than necessary". We have been looking into how Mary displayed extravagant devotion to Christ. We saw how it opens the door to the prophetic, the cost, a servant's heart, breaking the flask and now how Mary stayed focused on Jesus even though she was misunderstood.


John 12:4-6
Judas Iscariot and other disciples (stated in the other gospels)- became indignant while Mary was performing her act of extravagant devotion. There was a lot of murmuring, surmising and innuendos going on around her. Mary had to push all other thoughts aside, not look at the faces or listen to the comments. She had to make her way toward Jesus- not letting what the murmurers were muttering to distract her.

Hebrews 12:2 (Amplified): "(looking away from all that will distract us and) focusing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith..." 

I don't know about anyone else, but this is one of the hardest challenges that I have faced- most of my life- not letting what others think or say- or- what I perceive that they are thinking or saying.  I do tend to become distracted at times by others' looks and comments. But living a life full of extravagant devotion- we must accept the fact that not everyone will agree with what we are saying or doing-even those of our own family or Church family. The sooner that we accept the fact that living a life full of faith and extravagant devotion will cause us to be misunderstood- the better off we will be. Many times, others' comments, jealousies and judgmental attitudes come from their own conviction of their lack of confidence, courage, faith and love for Christ. Our extravagant devotion will reveal to others their lack and they will either press on to know Him as we do-or-do all they can to discourage us from reaching our goal.  Don't expect to be understood, appreciated or recognized.  When we do, we must ask ourselves, just why are we doing what we are doing- for earthly recognition and approval- or for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus? We must stay focused on the Person of Jesus Christ and be obedient to what He is asking us to do as  an act of selfless extravagant devotion to Him alone. We must stay focused on Christ and continue our life of extravagant devotion.

~Donna


"Never allow anything to divert you from your insight into Jesus Christ. It is the true test of whether you are spiritual or not. To be unspiritual means that other things have a growing fascination for you. Since mine eyes have looked on Jesus, I've lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit's vision, Gazing on the Crucified."
~Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest"~  

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