Expressions of Devotion: The Aroma of True Worship

 

Summary

In the narrative of Mary anointing Jesus' feet with costly ointment, we find a profound lesson on the diverse expressions of love and devotion to Christ. Each member of the Bethany household—Martha, Lazarus, and Mary—demonstrated their love for Jesus in unique ways. Martha served by preparing a meal, Lazarus bore witness to Jesus' miracle by simply being present, and Mary expressed her devotion through an extravagant act of worship. This diversity in service highlights that each believer has a unique role and way to honor Christ, and all are valuable in the eyes of God.

Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive ointment and wiping them with her hair was not just an act of love but also one of deep spiritual insight. She recognized Jesus' divine nature and impending sacrifice, prompting her to offer her most treasured possession. This act of concentration—pouring out all she had for Jesus—resulted in diffusion, as the fragrance filled the entire house. This illustrates that when we focus our love and devotion entirely on Christ, the impact of our actions naturally spreads to those around us.

The call to believers is to emulate Mary's devotion by concentrating all our love and resources on Christ. This concentration leads to a natural diffusion of grace and influence, impacting our families, communities, and beyond. True devotion to Christ is not about seeking recognition but about living a life so filled with His presence that it becomes a testimony to others. The challenge is to live for Jesus wholeheartedly, allowing our lives to be a sweet aroma that glorifies God and draws others to Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. Diverse Expressions of Love: Each believer has a unique way of expressing love for Christ, as seen in the different roles of Martha, Lazarus, and Mary. Embrace your unique calling and serve God in the way He has equipped you, without comparing yourself to others. [06:51]

2. Extravagant Worship: Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with costly ointment demonstrates the depth of her love and understanding of His divine nature. True worship involves giving our best to God, holding nothing back, and recognizing His worthiness of our all. [09:03]

3. Concentration Leads to Diffusion: By focusing all our love and resources on Christ, like Mary did, the impact of our devotion naturally spreads to those around us. This principle teaches us that wholehearted dedication to Jesus results in a powerful witness to others. [12:09]

4. Living for Jesus Alone: The highest way of living is to live entirely for Jesus, not seeking the approval of others but focusing solely on pleasing Him. This single-minded devotion is the most worthy service we can offer to our Savior. [14:04]

5. Influence Through Holiness: A life lived close to God naturally influences others, even without words. True holiness is a powerful essence that cannot be hidden and will make itself known as a sweet aroma, impacting those around us. [23:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Mary’s Act
- [00:31] - Diverse Expressions of Love
- [01:04] - Martha’s Service
- [02:23] - Lazarus’ Testimony
- [04:52] - Mary’s Devotion
- [06:33] - Complete Service of Love
- [08:16] - Mary’s Deep Insight
- [09:53] - Call for Devoted Champions
- [11:38] - Concentration and Diffusion
- [13:25] - Living for Jesus Alone
- [17:45] - The Power of Diffusion
- [20:03] - Influence Through Holiness
- [24:05] - Impact on the Household
- [27:25] - Christian Influence in Society
- [30:21] - Warning Against Sin

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- John 12:3

#### Observation Questions
1. How did each member of the Bethany household express their love for Jesus differently? ([00:31])
2. What was the significance of Mary using costly ointment to anoint Jesus' feet? ([05:57])
3. How did the act of anointing Jesus' feet with ointment affect the atmosphere of the house? ([12:09])
4. What was the reaction of others to Mary's act of devotion, and how did Jesus respond? ([15:47])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the diversity of expressions of love in the Bethany household teach about the different ways believers can serve Christ? ([06:51])
2. How does Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet illustrate the concept of "concentration leading to diffusion"? ([12:09])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that true devotion to Christ can influence others without seeking recognition? ([19:47])
4. How does the sermon describe the impact of living a life wholly devoted to Jesus on one's family and community? ([24:05])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your unique gifts and talents. How can you use them to serve Christ in a way that is true to who you are, without comparing yourself to others? ([06:51])
2. Consider a time when you held back from giving your best to God. What steps can you take to offer your "costly ointment" to Him in the future? ([09:03])
3. Think about a situation where your devotion to Christ could naturally influence those around you. How can you focus your love and resources on Christ to create a positive impact? ([12:09])
4. Identify an area in your life where you seek approval from others. How can you shift your focus to living for Jesus alone, as Mary did? ([14:04])
5. Reflect on your daily interactions. How can you ensure that your life is a "sweet aroma" that glorifies God and draws others to Him? ([23:11])
6. Is there someone in your life who might be influenced by your quiet holiness and devotion to God? How can you be more intentional in living out your faith in front of them? ([24:05])
7. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure that your home is filled with the "fragrance" of your devotion to Christ? ([24:20])

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Your Unique Calling
Each believer has a unique way of expressing love for Christ, as seen in the different roles of Martha, Lazarus, and Mary. Martha served by preparing a meal, Lazarus bore witness to Jesus' miracle by simply being present, and Mary expressed her devotion through an extravagant act of worship. This diversity in service highlights that each believer has a unique role and way to honor Christ, and all are valuable in the eyes of God. Embrace your unique calling and serve God in the way He has equipped you, without comparing yourself to others. [06:51]

"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: What unique gifts or talents has God given you, and how can you use them to serve Him and others this week without comparing yourself to others?


Day 2: Worship Through Sacrifice
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with costly ointment demonstrates the depth of her love and understanding of His divine nature. True worship involves giving our best to God, holding nothing back, and recognizing His worthiness of our all. Mary's willingness to offer her most treasured possession reflects a heart fully devoted to Christ, acknowledging His impending sacrifice and divine nature. This act of worship calls us to examine what we hold dear and consider how we can offer it to God as an expression of our love and devotion. [09:03]

"And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny." (Mark 12:41-42, ESV)

Reflection: What is one thing you hold dear that you can offer to God as an act of worship this week?


Day 3: Focused Devotion Spreads Influence
By focusing all our love and resources on Christ, like Mary did, the impact of our devotion naturally spreads to those around us. This principle teaches us that wholehearted dedication to Jesus results in a powerful witness to others. Mary's concentrated act of love filled the house with fragrance, symbolizing how our devotion can influence our surroundings. When we pour out our love for Christ, it becomes a testimony that touches the lives of those we encounter, spreading grace and influence beyond our immediate reach. [12:09]

"For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Corinthians 2:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you focus your love and resources on Christ today in a way that might influence those around you?


Day 4: Live for Jesus Alone
The highest way of living is to live entirely for Jesus, not seeking the approval of others but focusing solely on pleasing Him. This single-minded devotion is the most worthy service we can offer to our Savior. Living for Jesus alone means prioritizing His will above all else and finding our identity and purpose in Him. It challenges us to examine our motivations and align our lives with His teachings, ensuring that our actions reflect a heart fully committed to His service. [14:04]

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking the approval of others, and how can you shift your focus to living for Jesus alone?


Day 5: Influence Through Holiness
A life lived close to God naturally influences others, even without words. True holiness is a powerful essence that cannot be hidden and will make itself known as a sweet aroma, impacting those around us. When we live in close communion with God, our lives become a testimony of His grace and love, drawing others to Him. This influence is not about overt actions but about the quiet, consistent witness of a life transformed by His presence. [23:11]

"Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a life of holiness that naturally influences those around you without needing to speak a word?

Quotes


Martha served she was the housekeeper and with much diligence made him a supper it would have been a sad admission had there been no table spread for so blessed a guest and who could prepare it so well as Martha sometimes we have heard people speak disparagingly of Martha but truly they mistake the Lord who never chided her for serving but for being on one occasion so cumbered by it as to think hardly of her sister. [00:56:40]

Lazarus eating and drinking was a testimony for Jesus and I would that we all knew how even to eat and drink to the glory of God there are some Christians who cannot do much or say much but their Godly lives their patient suffering their quiet Holiness are good witnesses to Jesus. [03:27:20]

Mary took a pound of ointment and poured it all on Christ's feet that is concentration when she had poured it out on Christ's feet the whole house was filled with the odor of the ointment that is diffusion and the shest way to effective diffusion is perfect concentration. [11:44:48]

Consecrate to the Savior all that you have every faculty power possession and ability half the pound of spikenard would not have sufficed that half pound in reserve would have spoiled the deed perhaps we should never have heard of it as at all if it had been less complete half a heart given to Christ. [12:41:28]

The highest way of living is to live for Jesus and ALT together for Jesus not caring what this man saith or how the other judgeth but feeling that as he hath bought us with his blood and we are his from the crown of our head to the soul of our foot we therefore own no master but Our Redeemer. [14:01:12]

This concentration of everything Upon Jesus is the only way of worthily serving him when we give him all we do not give him a thousandth part of what he deserves but to give him half to give him a tithe to give him what we can easily spare is a poor way of expressing our love to him. [16:42:40]

True Holiness is such a mighty pervading Essence that if you possess it it cannot be hidden it will make itself known as a sweet saver even as far as heaven the life of God is in it and it must operate in everything that is good God lith hidden the spirit of God dwells in every gracious word and godly thought and holy deed and he is sweetness itself. [23:20:36]

I would to God that every Christian Church were a living protest against all the wrongdoing of the times a gracious disinfectant to slay the abounding corruption there is an evil smell of sin perpetually wreaking towards heaven and it needs that you Christian men should live Christlike lives in public as well as in private. [27:28:40]

Would to God that the example of Christians might yet become so potent that all nations might feel its power that Wars might cease that cruelties of every kind might come to an end and that the sweet Savor of jesus' name manifested through his people might perfume the whole world as though God had had showered upon it ambrosial Essences and fragrances from the flowers of Heaven. [28:05:00]

Oh woman thou mayest gain thy Husband by thy piety if he will not hear sermons he will hear that quiet loving life of thine Oh Sister thou mayest win thy brother by thy love he will not read Pious books but those letters of thine those sweet words of tender rebuke and invitation he does read them and he feels them too though you fear he does not. [29:57:00]

Fill the house with the fragrance of true Faith fill the Parlor and the drawing room the bed chamber and the kitchen with hallowed conversation I say again not with mere talk and Pharisee pretense but with real holy living and true Godly communion and depend upon it you are doing for your children and your servants the best thing in your power to do. [31:46:40]

Christian men are not to Glide out of the way of their fellow creatures and shut themselves up in order to be Pious any more than a soldier May hope to win the battle by running away no mix with your fellow men if there are offices of trust to discharge do not leave them to the lowest of the low to discharge them but be willing to do public service for your country. [32:49:00]

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Transcript
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