Worshiping

Worshiping

Mark 14:3, 6-9, NLT

Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head. . . . 6But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? 7You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. 8She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

John 12:3, NLT

Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

Setting the Scene

During the meal, Mary poured an expensive bottle of perfume on Jesus’ head and feet. (This is a different event than the one recorded in Luke 7:36-50.)

This ointment or perfume was made from an aromatic herb (also called spikenard) from the mountains of India and imported in alabaster bottles. This item was so valuable that people would invest in it, much like gold today. According to John 12:5, this bottle was worth “a year’s wages” (NLT). Nard was used to anoint kings, so Mary may have been “anointing” Jesus as her kingly Messiah. When the disciples criticized Mary for her act of worship, Jesus reprimanded them, explaining that this was a unique act for a specific occasion—an anointing that anticipated Jesus’ burial and a public declaration of faith in him as Messiah. Jesus was not saying that his followers should neglect or be indifferent to the poor.

Jesus said Mary had prepared his body “for burial.” In this culture, fragrant ointments would be used for anointing dead bodies to prepare them for burial. Embalming was not the Jewish custom, and perfume would cover the odor of the dead body. Mary probably did not understand Jesus’ approaching death any more than the disciples. She may have realized that something was going to happen, so she sympathized with him and did “what she could” by honoring him with the greatest gift she could give.

Jesus said Mary’s unselfish act would be remembered forever. This has come true because we read about it today.

Getting Personal

What holds you back from being fully engaged in worship (for example, being preoccupied, distracted, fearful of what others might think, etc.)?

In what ways does your devotion to Christ cost you something? For you, what would be an “extravagant” act of love for Jesus?

While the disciples misunderstood Jesus’ mission and constantly fought about places of honor in the Kingdom, and the religious leaders stubbornly refused to believe in Jesus and plotted his death, this one quiet woman considered no sacrifice too great for her beloved Master. Jesus wants our total devotion—heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).

Talking to God

Let your gratitude overwhelm you as you thank God for how much he loves you, what he has done for you, and what he has planned for you. Ask him to help you not to hold back in your private and public expressions of love and praise for him.