Alfred Nobel: Noble man of legacy

A pacifist and an inventor, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel invented dynamite which changed the way we mined, how we built transportation systems and  how we fought on the battlefield. In 1888, when his brother Ludvig died, a French newspaper mistakenly ran an obituary for Alfred which called him the "merchant of death."Not wanting to go down in history with such a horrible epitaph, Nobel created a will that soon shocked his relatives and established the now famous Nobel Prizes.
If he had not witnessed the reaction to his ‘death’, he probably would never have reflected on his legacy to the world. He would not have founded the Nobel Prizes, which to this day are the most prestigious awards one can receive.

Take a look at your life.  If you passed today, what would your legacy be?  Then ask yourself what you want your legacy to be. What are some changes that you can and will make? Is your life filled with "explosive material"? Perhaps you need to use some "dynamite" to get rid of old rubble that is holding you back.

Begin a new life as if you already know the grand ending of it. After all, if we are in Christ, we know the ending of it. "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.
They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." Revelation 21:3.
We are never too young or too old to write a new life-script.

 Ephesians 5:2 -  "Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."

Here are some  famous last words:
"Our God is the God from whom cometh salvation: God is the Lord by whom we escape death." - Martin Luther
"Live in Christ, live in Christ, and the flesh need not fear death." -John Knox
"Thou, Lord, bruisest me; but I am abundantly satisfied, since it is from Thy hand." -John Calvin
"The best of all is, God is with us. Farewell! Farewell!" -John Wesley
"I shall be satisfied with Thy likeness--satisfied, satisfied!" -Charles Wesley 

Nicole Nordeman "Legacy" music video:

In Memory

In Mark 14:3-9, we see a woman coming into a house where Jesus is at, who the Gospel of John tells us is Mary. She brings with her an alabaster jar, probably a family heirloom, filled with nard, a rare and expensive perfume which grows in the foothills of the Himalayas. She takes this and pours it on Jesus' head. Some watchers criticize her but Jesus tells them to leave her alone, that she did a beautiful thing with what she had. Jesus then adds that this story will be told all over the world in memory of her! Jesus includes her in His story!

This invitation is open to you and I, if we are willing to give our most precious gifts to him and submit despite what opposition may say. What an encouragement!

Jesus says five things which shows this is an extremely valuable act. First he says, "She has done a beautiful thing to me." The beauty of it lay in its very extravagance. This woman did not spare any  ointment but broke the jar and poured it all out on him.

Second, he said that it was a timely thing she had done. "It was something that could only be done now. Anytime you want to do good to the poor you can, because they are always around." There are opportunities which come in our life which must be seized at the moment; as they never happen again. 

Third, she did what she could. It was all that was open to her. She could not make him a meal; there was no time for that. She could not make new sandals for him; there was no time for that. She did what she knew how to do, using her gift.

Fourthly, the offering was insightful. Jesus says, "She has anointed my body beforehand for burying." It is interesting to go through the Gospel accounts and see how many times Jesus said to the disciples that he was going to die. Not one of them believed him -- except Mary of Bethany. She believed him, and understood that he was here for that purpose. This is what motivated her. She understood that he was heading for burial and Jesus knew that.  There is nothing more comforting to us than to be understood in what we are trying to do for Jesus.

Finally, what she did was deserving of being remembered. Jesus said, "The story of this beautiful act will be told in memory of her wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world." Here we are 2000 years later, fulfilling this very word, telling again of the act of Mary of Bethany, when she anointed our Lord's head and feet. These elements constitute what Jesus called, "the beautiful thing she has done to me."

Psalm 141:2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Third Day - My Offering:

Questioning Jesus

When Jesus went before the high Priest in John 18:19-23, he was questioned about his teachings and his disciples. The same questioning happens today. There are those who truly are seeking to know just what it is about this man and his teachings that set him apart from others. Jesus's response is great:
"I have spoken openly to the world. I have said nothing in secret."
He has given his Word to the world and made it plain for all to see.
Jesus then puts out a challenge to all hearers who doubt what he says "If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?"

But Jesus also holds us  believers accountable when he tells the doubters to ask his followers " Ask those who have heard me what I said to them, they know what i said". What a responsibility!
In 1 Peter 3:15 we are told "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect". It all starts in our hearts, as we seek to honor the Lord, we will desire to live for Him and be prepared when others ask about the hope we have been given.