THE BEAUTIFUL THING SERIES: 2026
BIBLE IN A YEAR: LEVITICUS 11–12; MATTHEW 26:1–25
THE POWER OF RADICAL DEVOTION
KEY VERSE: “Aware of this, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.'” (MATTHEW 26:10, NIV)
I. THE ENVELOPE OF LEGACY: THE STORY OF JOHN DANIELS SR.
In the quiet routine of a community college campus walk, the extraordinary often hides in the ordinary. Arthur Jackson recounts an encounter with a woman who handed him an envelope labeled “John Daniels Sr, Random Act of Kindness Day.” Inside was a twenty-dollar bill and two leaflets about the love of Christ.
This was not merely a handout; it was a Legacy Activation. A year prior, John Daniels Sr. had been fatally struck by a car. His final moments on this earth were spent in an act of profound honor: helping a homeless man and whispering the truth of Christ’s love. Though John was gone, his “beautiful thing” was still speaking. His family had turned his tragedy into a “Resource Distribution Center” for the Kingdom.
The Lesson: Honoring Jesus is never a solitary act; it is a seed that produces a harvest of devotion in others. When we honor Him, we create a ripple effect that outlives our own biological existence.
II. THE ALABASTER ECONOMY: MATTHEW 26:6–13
The story of the woman with the alabaster jar (Matthew 26) provides the biblical blueprint for what it means to truly honor Jesus.
The Cost of Devotion (v. 7): The ointment was “very expensive.” In some accounts, it was valued at a year’s wages. To honor Jesus properly, it must cost us something. If our worship is “cheap,” it rarely qualifies as “beautiful” in the sight of God.
The Criticism of the Practical (vv. 8–9): The disciples—the very people who should have understood—called her act a “waste.” They argued that the money could have been given to the poor. They were operating in a Humanitarian Economy, while she was operating in a Kingdom Economy.
The Divine Commendation (v. 10): Jesus stepped in to protect her. He called her act a “Beautiful Thing.” In the Greek, the word used for beautiful implies something that is not just “pretty,” but “noble, excellent, and morally good.”
III. THE INSIGHT: THE BRIGHTNESS OF HONOR IN A DARK WORLD
Arthur Jackson provides a striking contrast in the surrounding verses of Matthew 26. The woman’s act of honor shines because of the darkness surrounding it:
The Plot (vv. 3–5): While she was preparing to anoint Him for burial, the religious leaders were preparing to murder Him.
The Betrayal (vv. 14–16): While she was pouring out wealth on Him, Judas was negotiating a price for Him.
The Modern Parallel: In 2026, the world remains filled with “misguided and unflattering sentiments toward Jesus.” There are plots against His Word and betrayals of His character. In such a climate, your “thoughtful, caring actions” become a lighthouse. Your kindness is a protest against the darkness.
IV. COMPREHENSIVE Q&A: NAVIGATING THE LIFE OF HONOR
Q1: Does Jesus prefer my ‘Expensive Ointment’ or my ‘Service to the Poor’?
Answer: Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me” (v. 11). This isn’t a dismissal of the poor; it is a lesson in Priority. Our service to the poor must flow out of our devotion to Christ. If we serve the poor but neglect the Person of Jesus, we are merely social workers. If we honor Jesus first, our service to the poor becomes a “Beautiful Thing.”
Q2: How can I honor Jesus if I don’t have ‘Expensive Ointment’ or financial resources?
Answer: Honoring Jesus is about the “Alabaster Heart,” not just the “Alabaster Jar.” You can honor Him with your Time (sitting at His feet), your Integrity (doing the right thing when no one sees), or your Speech (speaking well of Him in a mocking environment).
Q3: Why did Jesus say her story would be told ‘wherever this gospel is preached’?
Answer: Because her act perfectly mirrored the Gospel. The Gospel is about a God who poured out His most “Expensive Possession” (His Son) in a “wasteful” display of love for a world that didn’t deserve it. When she poured out her oil, she was reflecting the heart of the Father.
V. PRACTICAL STEPS TO HONORING JESUS TODAY
The Faith Audit: Who has inspired you? Is it a “John Daniels Sr.” in your life? Take a moment to thank God for their legacy.
The Costly Step: Identify one thing that is “precious” to you—time, a specific possession, or a comfort—and find a way to “pour it out” for Jesus this week.
The Public Witness: Like the envelope on the community college campus, find a way to link your “Random Act of Kindness” with the “Name of Jesus.” Don’t just be “nice”; be “His.”
VI. REFLECT & PRAY
REFLECT:
In a world of betrayal and plotting, where does your devotion sit? Are you calculating the “waste,” or are you seeking the “beauty”? Honoring Christ by loving others is still the most beautiful thing you can do.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, the lives of other believers in Jesus—those who have gone before me and those still walking beside me—inspire me to love You more. I thank You for the legacy of John Daniels Sr. and the woman with the Alabaster Jar. Please help me to see the “street corners” of my own city. Give me the courage to do “beautiful things” that might be misunderstood by the world but are precious in Your sight. Help me to share my love for You through costly, thoughtful, and caring actions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
PROPHETIC INSIGHT FOR 2026: The world is looking for “Beautiful Things.” People are tired of religious arguments; they are looking for the “Fragrance of the Ointment.” When you honor Jesus with your life, you release a scent that attracts the lost and cheers the heart of God.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 11–12; Matthew 26:1–25
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A “Waste” in the eyes of the world is often a “Worship” in the eyes of the King.
