Text: Matthew 26:6-13
Memory text:
“For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Procrastinating the honour you should give to your parents can come with grave consequences. Firstly, it can hinder or limit further blessings. Honour is a key that opens the treasure of filial blessing. Secondly, it will leave you with regrets because it may become unnecessary or late by the time you give the honour.
I learnt this great lesson many years ago after I visited my father in the Lord. One day, when I was in his office, I strongly felt a need to change his office furniture, and I decided in my heart that I would do just that. However, for one reason or the other, I kept postponing my decision until I returned to his office a few weeks later to see that a new furniture was already there. Apparently, someone else who saw the need had acted promptly. I felt so bad that day, and I regretted my indecision. I missed a divine opportunity to receive my father’s blessing. You see, opportunity is never lost but missed. What I missed, someone else got it! That lesson changed my life forever. I don’t allow opportunities to honour a father or mother slip away from me.
In our text, the disciples and even Simon, in whose house Jesus was, didn’t see any need to honour Jesus until the despised woman showed up. It was a popular Jewish custom for a host to show hospitality to his guest by washing his guest’s feet, which is the least. Unfortunately, rather than seeing their negligence and the dishonour that they had brought to Him, they criticized the woman! Jesus stood up immediately to defend her, justify her action, and said, “You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me.” (Matt 26:11 GNT). This is the point. For different reasons, the opportunity to honour will not always be there. For this case, Jesus was speaking of the end of His time on earth.
Not long after that time, Jesus was crucified and buried. Some of the disciples might have thought in their hearts that they would make up for the opportunity they missed by anointing His body at the tomb. Unfortunately, when they arrived there, they met an empty tomb, for Jesus had risen. They missed a life opportunity to honour the King!
Friends, don’t postpone the opportunity to honour the father or mother in your life, for the opportunity may not always be open. May you never miss a life opportunity for your blessing, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer points
1. I overcome procrastination, and I refuse to live a life of regrets in Jesus’ name.
2. I will not miss my parental blessing through procrastination or neglect in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. No one takes my portion because I act promptly to the needs of my parents.
2. I will not wait for a better day before I honour my parents, but I start with what I have now.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng