I think deep down we all have a desire to be known in some capacity, we were created with purpose, to be light, to have fellowship, and to spread the Gospel wherever we go. God puts talents and giftings in us that are not solely for our own benefit, but they are to be used for His glory. Maybe you want to be known for being the best cook, raising an amazing family, being the best athlete, having a fruitful ministry, being a good friend, for helping others…these are all wonderful and very likely something God placed in your heart for a reason but I’d like to show you that there is one way to be known that far outweighs all of the others…

…be known for how you love Jesus. 

In Matthew 26 we see the story of a woman who simply poured out her love and devotion on Jesus, to which He said in verse 13 “I tell you the truth, wherever this Gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done (the story of her lavish devotion) will also be told in memory of her.” The way she loved Jesus ended up being a message that spread all over the world, she was known for loving Him. I want the same for myself, I hope you do too. Let’s dive a little deeper into this story and see how we can apply it to our own lives. 

Jesus was in the home of Simon when this woman (many believe it was Mary) happened to walk in. In verse 7 (TPT) it says “she walked right up to Jesus, and in a lavish gesture of devotion, she poured out the costly oil…”. She did not pay any attention to who was around or what else was going on, she was solely fixed on Jesus and approached Him in devotion. I pray that I will always approach Him with that heart posture as well, undistracted and in devotion. 

It is said that the perfume/oil that she poured out was worth about a year’s wages, think about it…your entire salary for the year poured out on Jesus in one moment, not everyone can understand that. Even ask yourself, would you be willing to do that? As a matter of fact the Bible even says that when the woman did this the disciples were “indignant” (verse 8), which means angry, annoyed, or offended because they thought it could’ve been put to better use…their intentions were not bad, however, they couldn’t see the “greater, more important thing” that  Jesus talks about in the story of Mary and Martha. Loving Jesus is the most important thing, He even says that the first and greatest commandment is to love Him (Matthew 22:37). Although it wasn’t even the disciples’ oil, it belonged to the woman, they were still upset. Not everyone will understand your love for Jesus, but through your continued devotion it will become known, just like it did for this woman. And eventually, they will want the same for themselves, too. 

If you know me, or for those of you who don’t, in addition to being in full-time ministry I’m also an actor, which is part of my ministry. There have been countless opportunities for multi-million dollar films, TV shows, commercials, and more that have seemed appealing and very big ways to be known, however, they weren’t things that would have been pleasing to Jesus. When you truly love someone you would never want to do anything that would hurt them, because of my love and devotion for Jesus it is not even a question of whether or not I’d turn those opportunities down. If it’s not something that would allow me to be known for how I love Jesus, I don’t want it. How I love Him is what will be known throughout the world, and He will bring the right opportunities that will glorify Him. And ultimately like the song says “you can have all of this world, but give me Jesus.” (UpperRoom). Without Jesus it all means nothing, but if you have Him you have everything. 

That’s the same in your life too, whatever it is that you want to be known for should always be able to ultimately point back to your love for Jesus. Loving Him is the most important thing. Loving Him is everything. Apart from Him you have NO GOOD THING (Psalms 16:2), but with Him you have everything and can do all things (Philippians 4:13). Pour out all of your love on Him, fall so in love with Jesus that being known by Him is all that matters. When you’re so full of His Presence and His love His light will shine through you, and like Matthew 5:16 says “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven”. 

I pray that this encouraged you to love Jesus more, to desire to know Him more and be known by Him. Be known for how you love Jesus.