Extravagant Worship: Pouring Out Our Lives for Jesus
Summary
Mark 14:1-9 draws us into a moment of profound contrast: while the religious leaders plot to kill Jesus, Mary pours out her most precious possession in an act of extravagant worship. This passage challenges us to examine the nature and depth of our own worship. Is it sacrificial, or is it merely convenient? True worship is not confined to singing or attending church; it is a daily offering of our whole lives—our words, actions, and even our most treasured possessions—laid down before Jesus. Paul calls us to be living sacrifices, and Mary’s act is a vivid picture of what that looks like: holding nothing back, giving Jesus our best, not for recognition or reward, but out of pure love and devotion.
Mary’s worship was costly. The perfume she poured out was likely her dowry, worth a year’s wages, and once broken, the jar could never be used again. She did not calculate what she might get in return, nor did she seek the approval of those around her. Her eyes were fixed on Jesus alone. In contrast, the disciples—those closest to Jesus—saw her act as wasteful, missing the heart of worship and revealing their own misplaced values. Their criticism was not just of Mary, but of Jesus himself, suggesting He was not worth such extravagance.
This story exposes how easily we can let the opinions of others, or our own routines and rules, dictate the level of our devotion. We may be tempted to give Jesus only what is comfortable, to hold back the “expensive” parts of our lives—our time, our resources, our families, our futures. Yet, Jesus calls us to pour it all out, trusting that He is worthy and that nothing we give to Him is ever wasted.
Our children, our families, and our communities are watching. They will model what they see in us. If we want to raise a generation passionate for Christ, they must see us living out a faith that is wholehearted, sacrificial, and unashamed. The only opinion that matters in the end is God’s. Jesus commended Mary’s act, promising it would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. May our lives be marked by that same kind of worship—costly, wholehearted, and focused on Jesus alone.
Key Takeaways
- True worship is sacrificial and all-encompassing, not limited to singing or Sunday gatherings. Every moment, every action, and every possession can be an offering to God when done with a heart surrendered to Him. The question is not what we do, but whether we are giving Jesus our best, or just what is convenient and comfortable. [06:06]
- The value we place on Jesus is revealed by what we are willing to pour out for Him. Mary’s willingness to break her most precious possession shows that Jesus was worth more to her than anything else. Our own “alabaster jars”—the things we treasure most—are meant to be surrendered, not for what we might receive, but simply because He is worthy. [10:07]
- Authentic worship is not about impressing others or seeking their approval; it is about loving Jesus with undivided devotion. When we become preoccupied with what others think, we risk turning our worship into performance and idolatry. Like Mary and King David, we must be willing to look “undignified” in the eyes of others if it means honoring God with our whole hearts. [21:41]
- The habits and disciplines of faith—Bible reading, prayer, service—are not ends in themselves, but means to draw us closer to Jesus. When we start with love for Christ, these practices become joyful expressions of relationship, not burdensome rules. If we find ourselves failing in our habits, the solution is not more rules, but a deeper love for Jesus that naturally overflows into devotion. [46:51]
- Our children and those we influence will model the faith they see in us. If we want to raise disciples, we must let them witness our own wholehearted worship, sacrificial living, and daily pursuit of Christ. The legacy we leave is not in what we say, but in what we pour out for Jesus, trusting that He alone is worthy and that nothing given to Him is ever wasted. [56:33]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:41] - Setting the Scene: Mark 14 and the Road to the Cross
[05:11] - Contrasting Rejection and Worship
[06:06] - What Is True Worship?
[08:54] - Jesus Deserves Our Highest Worship
[10:07] - Mary’s Extravagant Sacrifice
[17:50] - The Heart Behind the Offering
[21:41] - Worship Without Fear of Others
[23:34] - Lessons from David’s Undignified Worship
[28:00] - The Cost of Worship and the Crowd’s Critique
[32:08] - Worship for an Audience of One
[33:47] - The Disciples’ Misunderstanding
[40:48] - How Our Worship Reveals Our Values
[46:51] - Habits, Rules, and Loving Jesus
[56:33] - Discipling Our Children by Example
[01:00:41] - Pouring Out Everything for Jesus
[01:03:55] - Jesus Is Worth It: The Call to Total Surrender
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Mark 14:1-9 – Pouring Out Everything for Jesus
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### Bible Reading
- Mark 14:1-9
(The story of Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume.)
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### Observation Questions
1. What are the two main responses to Jesus in this passage, and who represents each response? (Mark 14:1-9)
2. What did Mary pour out on Jesus, and why was this act considered so costly? (Mark 14:3; [10:07])
3. How did the disciples react to Mary’s act of worship, and what reasons did they give for their reaction? (Mark 14:4-5; [34:44])
4. How did Jesus respond to Mary’s action, and what did He say about her? (Mark 14:6-9; [49:38])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Mary’s willingness to break her most valuable possession say about her view of Jesus’ worth? ([10:07])
2. Why do you think the disciples saw Mary’s act as wasteful? What does this reveal about their values at that moment? ([35:24])
3. According to the sermon, how can the opinions of others or our own routines affect the way we worship Jesus? ([21:41])
4. Why does Jesus say that Mary’s act will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached? What makes her worship so significant? ([49:38])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to ask: Is our worship sacrificial or just convenient? What is one area of your life where you tend to give Jesus only what is comfortable or easy? ([06:06])
2. Mary gave up something extremely valuable without expecting anything in return. Is there something you treasure—time, money, plans, reputation—that you find hard to surrender to Jesus? What would it look like to “break the jar” in that area? ([10:07])
3. The disciples criticized Mary, but she focused only on Jesus. Are there ways you let the opinions of others hold you back from wholehearted worship or obedience? How can you shift your focus to Jesus alone? ([21:41])
4. The sermon said, “How you worship indicates the value that you place on Jesus.” What do your daily habits—how you spend your time, energy, and resources—say about how much you value Jesus? ([40:48])
5. The pastor mentioned that our children and those we influence will model the faith they see in us. What are your kids, family, or friends learning about Jesus from watching your life? Is there something you want to change or model more intentionally? ([56:33])
6. The sermon warned against turning spiritual habits into empty rules. When you struggle with Bible reading, prayer, or serving, do you tend to make more rules or try to rekindle your love for Jesus? What’s one way you can focus on loving Jesus more this week? ([46:51])
7. The pastor asked, “Are you truly pouring everything out to the King, or are you just giving Jesus a drip?” What is one practical step you can take this week to offer Jesus your best, not just what’s left over? ([01:01:44])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you see His worth more clearly, to give you courage to worship Him wholeheartedly, and to help you model a life of sacrificial devotion for those around you.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Deserves Our Highest Expressions of Worship and Sacrifice
True worship means offering Jesus our very best, not just what is convenient or easy. Mary’s act of breaking her alabaster jar and pouring out her most precious possession on Jesus was a demonstration of extravagant love and devotion—she held nothing back, not even her future security. This challenges us to consider whether we are giving Jesus only the leftovers of our time, energy, and resources, or if we are truly pouring out our lives for Him. Every moment, every breath, every possession is an opportunity to honor the One who gave everything for us. [08:54]
Mark 14:1-9 (ESV)
It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.” 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.”
Reflection: What is one “precious possession” (time, comfort, resource, or dream) you are holding back from Jesus? What would it look like to pour it out for Him today?
Day 2: Worship Is for an Audience of One
Authentic worship is not about impressing others or following a script, but about focusing our hearts solely on God. Like Mary, who cared only about Jesus’ presence and not the opinions of those around her, we are called to worship with undivided devotion. Whether our worship is quiet or expressive, it is the posture of our hearts that matters. When we let the fear of people’s opinions dictate our worship, we rob God of the honor He alone deserves. [21:41]
2 Samuel 6:14-16, 20-22 (ESV)
And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn. As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart. ... And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” And David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord—and I will celebrate before the Lord. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes.”
Reflection: When you worship—at church or in private—do you find yourself distracted by what others might think? What is one way you can intentionally focus your heart on God alone this week?
Day 3: The Value We Place on Jesus Is Revealed by Our Worship
How we worship—both in church and in daily life—reveals how much we truly value Jesus. The disciples saw Mary’s sacrifice as wasteful, showing that they valued money and practicality over honoring Christ. In contrast, Jesus praised Mary’s act, teaching us that the level of our devotion is a direct reflection of how much we treasure Him. If we only think of God on Sundays or give Him our attention when it’s convenient, it reveals a heart that does not fully value Him above all else. [40:48]
Matthew 6:21 (ESV)
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Reflection: What does your daily routine say about the value you place on Jesus? Is there a change you can make this week to show Him He is your greatest treasure?
Day 4: Start with Loving Jesus, Not Just Building Habits
Spiritual disciplines like Bible reading and prayer are important, but they must flow from a heart that loves Jesus first. When we focus on rules or habits alone, we often end up discouraged and defeated. But when love for Christ is our starting point, spiritual practices become a joy and a natural outflow of our relationship with Him. The more we love Jesus, the more we desire to be with Him, to serve Him, and to love others in His name. [46:51]
John 14:23 (ESV)
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
Reflection: Instead of focusing on a checklist, what is one way you can intentionally nurture your love for Jesus today—perhaps through gratitude, worship, or simply spending time in His presence?
Day 5: Model Wholehearted Devotion for the Next Generation
Our children and those we influence are watching how we live out our faith. More than any program or church activity, it is our example of wholehearted devotion—our willingness to pour out everything for Jesus—that will shape their understanding of what it means to follow Him. If we want our families and communities to know Christ, we must let them see us loving, worshiping, and serving Him with all that we are, not just giving Him a “drip” of our lives. [56:33]
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (ESV)
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Reflection: What is one specific way you can let your children, family, or friends see your love and devotion for Jesus in action this week?
Quotes
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