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MARK 14:3-9
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. 6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
REFERENCES: MARK 12:28-31, DEUTERONOMY 6:4, LEVITICUS 19:18, LUKE 10:25–37, MATTHEW 6:21, 24, 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-10, EPHESIANS 5:2
Have you ever loved someone so much that it’s driven you to do crazy things? Maybe it’s love towards your children, a significant other or a parent, but it’s the kind of love that can’t be explained. That’s what Mary felt when she broke an entire jar of expensive perfume to anoint Jesus. When we put Mary's actions into context, we discover that her act is driven by pure love and gratitude to Jesus for the resurrection of her brother, Lazarus. We often ask ourselves what does God want from us, and when the Pharisees asked Jesus this, his answer was on the money: to love him wholeheartedly. Mary’s act of generosity is a perfect example of how to love God. It’s by giving him everything.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” —Mark 12:30
Even in the face of criticism and rebuke, Mary, with her alabaster jar, chose to step out in faith and spontaneous worship by pouring out a year's worth of salary. We, too, can live a life completely devoted to God and push past the voices that tell us we are crazy for loving and worshipping so lavishly.
The woman with the alabaster jar didn’t just pour out the perfume, it was broken out. As such, God wants our hearts to be broken before him, too. Surrender is about giving up and giving in to who God is.
Our God is one who wants to make beauty out of our mess. He is a helper, a confidant, and certainly a friend in need. When we open our hearts to him we discover that all he wants and ever wanted is for us to be one with him. Uncommon obedience, unashamed devotion, and unrelenting surrender might sound like challenges that are too big for you to take on. Well, that's the point. God wants to love you and he wants his love to flow through you to others. Simply put, God wants you and he knows you were never meant to do this alone, so will you accept him today?
How will your expression of your love for God change? The next time you spend time with God, write down a variety of ways you can love him differently. Ask him how your expression of surpassing love for him can translate here on earth through your mind, heart, and strength.
Need a midweek reset? Join us every Wednesday at VOUS Miami Gardens and VOUS Design District in the Prayer Room for an incredible hour of prayer starting at 12PM. Make it part of your weekly rhythm!
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens and VOUS Design District
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Join us for Vision Sunday! Pastor Rich & DawnCheré Wilkerson will be sharing vision and marching orders for the year ahead. Be sure to invite your friends & family and get in the room!
For more information on Vision Sunday, click here
Team Night is happening on Wednesday, November 12th across all four VOUS locations starting at 7:00 PM!
Whether you’ve been serving for years or are just getting started, your presence matters. Team Night isn’t just for a specific team or department, it’s for our locations to come together as one cohesive team and move forward as one.
Sign up for your location below:
SoMi | City | Miami Gardens | Design District
Are you interested in leading a crew? Click here to fill out an application to become a crew leader in SZN 1 2026!
You don't want to miss the chance to hang with us at VOUS High Nite on Wednesday, November 5th @ 7PM, a night for the middle and high school community of VOUS Church.
We'll be hosting a Parent Hangout during VHN – an opportunity to get to know other parents in our community. Dinner provided.
To RSVP for VOUS High Nite, click here
To RSVP for the Parent Hang, click here
Where:
VOUS SoMi @ One City Church | 6750 Sunset Drive
VOUS Miami Gardens | 17801 NW Second Ave
Make Thanksgiving special for a family in need by serving at our annual Thanksgiving Bash, a morning of distributing hundreds of meals to families in our community and watching teams compete for the VOUS Bowl Title in our spirited 7-on-7 flag football tournament.
To donate a meal kit online, click here
To serve, click here
Date: Saturday, November 22nd
Time: 11:00AM
Location: Charles Hadley Park
Join us bright and early at Peacock Park for the VOUS 10K Turkey Trot! Start your Thanksgiving with fresh air, great friends, and all-around fun! We’ll see you at the starting line!
Sign up for the Turkey Trot, click here
Date: Thursday, November 27th
Time: 6:00AM
Location: Peacock Park
VOUS SoMi
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
VOUS Design District
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
Church Online
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack
