"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." –Matthew 6:20-21

In the days leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday it seems simpler somehow to focus on Jesus and the willing sacrifice He made as he took upon His perfect self our sin bearing our punishment; imputing to us His righteousness. The cross and all of its implication stands in stark relief across the worldly backdrop of cloying chocolate, spring flowers, bunnies, and decorated eggs. The glory and significance of the resurrection shines so brightly the pastel canvas is all but obliterated and our eyes and hearts are drawn to Jesus, the treasure that will never be destroyed or stolen, and the joy that can only be found in Him.

"Jesus spoke of this joy as he faced the torture of Good Friday. He faced denial, faced betrayal, faced beatings, faced splinters and nails and spears — he could not stop talking about joy! Only joy would keep him going. Joy was on his mind, joy was on his tongue, and joy was drawing him, not away from suffering, but into it (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus went to the cross for joy: to buy joy, create joy, and offer joy." –Troy Reinke, Have You Found What You're Looking For?

What happens on the Monday following when the candy and discarded broken and bent baskets are heaped into the clearance bin and the backdrop shifts? Our excitement and joy may wane and the treasure become less distinct. The mundane trials of everyday life may obscure the "inexpressible and glorious joy" (1 Peter 1:8). Our weariness and hurts more easily dismissed in the light of anticipation may now win our undivided attention. John Piper believes this is the time we should draw upon the strength of our brothers and sisters sharing ours in return as "...our worst spiritual and emotional collapses often follow in the wake of our happiest, most victorious experiences." 

Draw in close to your Church family. Draw near to His heart and keep your eyes and heart focused on the finished work of the cross. Drink in the Word and spend time with the Lord in prayer, He desires to spend time with us, is jealous for it. Empty yourself of brokeness and ashes, pour it out at His feet enabling the light of the power of God to shine (2 Corinthians4:7).

The Preciousness of Jesus by Jared C. Wilson

What is the one thing you cannot live without?

I think there are two stark realities shown in the passage of the woman who anointed Jesus’ head — a deadly devaluing and a saving adoration. See if you don’t agree:
And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” – Mark 14:3-9

The logic of those scolding is understandable, clear. What the woman has done is wasteful.

And what Jesus says in reply is provocative. He is not denying the importance of caring for the poor. Indeed, how could he, since he has taught so much on caring for the poor and needy already! But he is suggesting that there is something more important.

There is something more important than helping the poor. What could that be?
It is Jesus himself.

To devalue Jesus as the indignant have done is eternally deadly. To devalue the nard as the woman has done is eternally saving.

Gospel notes on the text and the remainder of the article can be viewed here: The Preciousness of Jesus | The Gospel Coalition