First

 What does it mean for something to be "first?"  When we run a race, we know that someone is "first" because they crossed the finish line before anyone else.  When we complete a list of tasks, the one that is "first" is the one completed before the others.  Is it safe to say that "first" means before everything else?  Lauren Daigle has a song called "First."   The song talks about seeking God first.  Above and before everything else.  First.  Before our coffee in the morning.  Before we watch the news.  Before we finish that best seller.  Before we work.  Before we play.  First.  

Mary sought God first.  Mark 14:3 says, "While He (Jesus) was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the the table, there came a woman (John identifies her as Mary) with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head."  This perfume was worth almost a year's wages.  It is thought to have been her life savings or perhaps her dowry.  Yet she pours it all out for Jesus without a second thought.  No, He is her first thought.  Whether she senses His distress as His final week unfolds or simply wants to worship her Lord, Mary put Jesus first above all things.  

Do I put Jesus first above all things?  Do I seek the Lord first before anything else?  Do I seek Him before I start asking Him to do things for me?  First.  Before anything else in my life.  Is Jesus first?

The disciples were upset with Mary because they wanted to use the money for the poor rather than anoint Jesus (well, one of the disciples probably wanted to steal the money more than use it for service).  Shouldn't our service to others be important?  Yes.  But not the priority.  In John 15:5, Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."  Did you catch that?  We only bear fruit (do good service, love others, etc.) when we are abiding.  When we are putting Jesus first in our lives.  Nothing good happens unless Jesus is first.  Our job is to put Him first, to believe, that's it. (Matt. 6:33, John 7:38, etc.).  His job is the fruit.  We just need to get out of the way and let Him work, in and through us.  

So, FIRST, we need to seek Him.  FIRST, we need to abide in Him.  He is FIRST.

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