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A True Act of Worship
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Posted by FBC Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:28:27 PDT
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     As Jesus approached the final week of His earthly ministry, He stopped at Bethany, near Jerusalem, to have some time with His friends, Lazarus, Simon, Mary and Martha.  While Jesus was eating supper at Simon’s house, Mary anointed His feet with a fragrant perfume in preparation for what lay ahead for Him.  Mary apparently had knowledge that the death of Jesus was near at hand, and she feared, or knew, she might not be able to anoint Him when dead.  Therefore, Jesus said, “She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial” (Mark 14: 8). This anointing was a true act of worship that was sacrificial, selfless, and significant.

     As a sacrificial act of worship, John’s gospel tells us that Mary, the sister of Martha, came into the room where Jesus was reclining at the table to eat.  She brought with her a cylindrical bottle made of alabaster and performed an extraordinary act of worship.  She broke the vessel pouring its contents over the head of Jesus (Mark 14:3).  Judas Iscariot claimed that this jar and its contents were valued at a year’s wages (John 12:5).  Normally the perfume would be rationed out over a long period of time and used in small amounts.  However, Mary offers a personal sacrifice in worshipping her Lord.  She does not hold back.  There is no reluctance in her desire to give all to Christ.  Believing what she did about this God-man, how could she even think of holding back in her worship of Him and anointing Him prior to His ultimate sacrifice for us all?

     Mary did not come to offer Christ cheap worship.  The love that Mary had for Jesus was reflected in the way she offered the best that she had.  Some would serve Jesus on paper plates while keeping the best China for a more appropriate guest!  The truth is, it’s easy to offer God cheap worship – sacrifices that cost us little or nothing.  But true worship isn’t cheap.  Mary “broke the vial.”  Nothing would be kept back in reserve.  God uses broken things.  Jesus said, “This is my body which is broken for you”.  He died of a broken heart; we ought to reciprocate with a broken will.  The sacrifices of God are “a broken and contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17).

     God wants your absolute unreserved best.

 

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