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A Beautiful Thing
In the Word
Jesus said to them, “For she has done a beautiful thing to me. … In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial” (Matthew 26:10, 12).
Of the Word
One day as Jesus ate dinner, a woman approached Him and poured expensive ointment on Him. In this special moment, her anointing was preparing Him for His burial.
Jesus has also given us a special anointing to prepare us for death. Ours is a baptismal anointing in water and the Word. His sacramental grace prepares us and our loved ones for that final hour with the sure and certain hope of the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
Upon this foundation of God’s grace, we have opportunity to offer special “ointments” to family members who are facing death. Hold them. Kiss them. Sing hymns. Read psalms. Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Remind them of Jesus’ love. Gentle touches and grace-filled words are beautiful ways to prepare family members and yourself for that last hour. These are special moments born from what Christ has done to prepare us for the hour of death. It is a beautiful thing.
Walking with my Lord
O Lord, as You have prepared me for my last hours on this earth, so enable me to do beautiful things for those I love. Fill those last hours with grace and peace. In Your holy name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 11/30 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40197
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
