I'm convinced that perfection is not what God requires but that me going in the right direction is what He desires! I should be moving towards Him and not going away from Him. I should be spending more time with Him, not less time!
The gospel of Mark is filled with contrasts of people and their direction. In Mark 14:3-11, we have two different people, Mary and Judas, headed in two different directions. Jesus is at the house of Simon, the leper reclining at a table. Mary comes to Him with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard. It is very costly! She broke the flask and poured it over the head of Jesus! Immediately the disciples, led by Judas, begin to say to themselves, "Why was the ointment wasted like that"? We could have sold it and given the funds to the poor? The internal thoughts led to outward words! They scolded her for her action! Jesus interrupted them and said, "Leave her alone"! She has done a beautiful thing to me. You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me! She has anointed my body beforehand for burial!
Immediately following that event, Mark places Judas together with the chief priests in the picture of betrayal. Judas has sought the chief priests out! He has proposed a deal for leading them to Jesus! The priests promise to give Judas money for the action. They are glad to finally have someone on the inside working for them!
In these two stories, we have two people who are going in the opposite direction. Notice the contrast:
1) Mary is giving perfume (funds) while Judas is getting funds.
2) Mary is showing devotion while Judas is becoming a traitor.
3) Mary has done a beautiful thing while Judas has done an ugly thing.
4) Mary came to Jesus while Judas came to the enemies of Jesus.
5) Mary upsets the disciples with anger, and they scold her. Judas' actions bring gladness to the chief priests and promise to himself.
6) Mary comes to Jesus while Judas goes from Jesus.
Mary's direction will cause the Holy Ghost to enter her heart (Acts 1:14; 2:1-4). But the direction of Judas will cause Satan will enter into his heart (John 13:26).
Though you might not be perfect, just keep moving forward and higher! Don't stop and turn around! Keep growing in your relationship with the Lord! Get closer to Him. Never change directions!
