Matthew 26:1-13 :: WASTED WORSHIP

Devotional

Day 1: The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength

There are many troubles in this life that can drain our joy and shift our focus away from God. Yet, the truth remains that our strength is found in the joy we have in the Lord. This joy is not based on fleeting circumstances but on the eternal realities of His love, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life with Him. It is a deep, soul-sustaining force that empowers us to live with passion and purpose. We are invited to receive this joy from Him and preach it to our own hearts each day. [25:27]

Nehemiah 8:10b (ESV)
And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Reflection: What is one circumstance or thought pattern that has recently been draining your joy, and how can you intentionally redirect your focus to the eternal truths of God’s character and promises to find strength today?

Day 2: The Call to Constant Repentance

From the very beginning of our lives, our hearts are bent toward rebellion and our own desires. We all need to be taught, instructed, and called to turn away from our own plans and definitions. Repentance is not a one-time event but a continual turning of our lives toward God, receiving His life, His plans, and His purposes. In this surrender, we do not lose anything of true value; rather, we gain everything—true life and meaning both now and for eternity. [30:51]

Matthew 4:17 (ESV)
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Reflection: In which area of your life are you most aware of holding onto your own plans or definitions, and what would a practical step of turning that area over to God’s authority look like this week?

Day 3: Guarding Against the Deceiver’s Influence

Whenever God speaks His truth into our lives, an enemy seeks to question it and redirect us away from Him. This is a constant spiritual reality, from the wilderness temptation of Christ to our daily lives. We must be vigilant, taking heed to ourselves so that we are not deceived by voices that contradict God’s Word. The call is to hold fast to the truth that has been revealed to our souls, recognizing that our only true hope is found in Christ alone. [32:43]

Matthew 24:4 (ESV)
And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.

Reflection: Where have you recently sensed a subtle voice, whether internal or external, questioning God’s truth or character, and how can you actively counter that deception with the specific promises of Scripture?

Day 4: The Contrast Between Deceit and Devotion

The human heart, apart from God, is a source of deceit and many other evils. This stands in stark contrast to the character of Christ, in whom no deceit was found. We are called to actively lay aside all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, and envy, and instead desire the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word. This is the path of growth for those who have tasted the grace of the Lord, following in the steps of our Savior who committed Himself to the Father. [49:51]

1 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV)
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Reflection: Which specific attribute from this list—malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, or slander—do you most need God’s help to “put away” today, and what would it look like to actively “long for” His Word in that area instead?

Day 5: Wholehearted Worship is Never Wasted

An act of devotion to Jesus, born from a heart of love and gratitude, is never a waste in His eyes. He sees the intention behind the sacrifice and receives it as a beautiful work. He is worthy of every extravagant gift and every humble offering we can give. Our worship, service, and devotion are memorialized by Him, and we can never fully know the eternal fruit that a simple act of love for Him will yield. Our calling is to pour ourselves out for Him, trusting that He finds it precious. [01:14:41]

Matthew 26:13 (ESV)
Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.

Reflection: Considering the unique personality, resources, and story God has given you, what is one fresh way you could express your love and devotion to Jesus this week, without concern for how others might perceive it?

Sermon Summary

Matthew's Gospel frames Jesus as the promised Savior who fulfills God’s covenantal promises and calls people to repentance. The narrative moves from teaching—Sermon on the Mount, parables, healings—to a decisive journey toward Jerusalem where the Messiah will submit to betrayal, suffering, and resurrection. Religious leaders plot deceitfully to arrest Jesus quietly during the Passover, revealing how pride, fear, and political expedience corrupt those meant to be God’s servants. Scripture exposes deceit as a product of the human heart—covetousness, hypocrisy, and unrighteousness—so repentance remains the foundational response to God’s kingdom.

The Bethany scene highlights three contrasting responses to devotion. Mary pours expensive fragrant oil over Jesus in an act of worshipful gratitude and intimacy, repeating her posture of sitting at Jesus’ feet; that act anoints his body for burial and becomes a lasting memorial. Judas voices indignation, calling the extravagance wasteful while secretly serving his own greed; that critical heart positions betrayal as the next step. Jesus rebukes the critics and affirms Mary’s gift, teaching that extravagant devotion, even when misunderstood, serves God’s redemptive plan.

Historical detail underscores the irony: Caiaphas and the religious elite, who should shepherd the people, scheme to silence the very one who comes to save them. Political calculation and moral blindness collide, demonstrating how human systems oppose divine purposes. The anointing’s fragrance and oil remain symbolically on Jesus through arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection—testimony that devotion offered now participates in God’s eternal work, often beyond immediate understanding.

The text calls for inward examination: lay aside deceit, hypocrisy, and judgmental hearts; choose grateful, humble devotion; and resist reducing others’ worship to personal preference. Devotion costs something—time, resources, reputation—but no sincere act offered to Christ proves wasted. Repentance, faithful presence at Jesus’ feet, and generosity of heart align with the kingdom’s coming and prepare souls for true life and communion with God.

Key Takeaways

1. The joy of the Lord strengthens True spiritual strength flows from joy rooted in God's presence, not from circumstances. Joy reorients desires away from self-preservation toward sacrificial love and resilient obedience. When joy becomes the soul’s currency, ministry and suffering both gain purpose and energy. [25:07]
2. Repentance exposes deceitful hearts Repentance refuses self-deception and names the inner sources of evil—covetousness, pride, and hypocrisy. Turning from those tendencies restores perception, so truth can reshape actions and communities. Constant repentance protects against being handed over to a debased mind that rationalizes sin. [31:22]
3. Stop judging others’ devotion Criticism of another’s worship often reveals personal insecurity, not fidelity to God. Humble love recognizes diverse expressions of faith and guards against becoming an instrument of betrayal by minimizing another’s sacrifice. Let curiosity and compassion replace quick judgment; devotion builds the kingdom in ways that exceed immediate metrics. [60:42]
4. Extravagant devotion participates in redemption A costly, unexpected gift to Christ can prophetically anoint and prepare for his death and resurrection beyond human foresight. Simple acts of worship—offered without calculation—enter God’s redemptive story and bear memorial fruit across generations. Keep offering what belongs to the Lord; such offerings matter eternally. [71:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:51] - Opening prayer and joy
[26:34] - Announcements and ministry notes
[28:12] - Matthew: evangelist and purpose
[31:22] - Repentance and kingdom readiness
[33:12] - Jesus' teaching and signs
[36:55] - Journey to Jerusalem explained
[40:12] - Passover setup and warning
[42:09] - Priests plot by deceit
[53:17] - Mary anoints Jesus in Bethany
[60:42] - Judas’ critique and bitterness
[70:26] - Jesus affirms the anointing
[74:41] - Call to devotion and repentance
[78:44] - Closing prayer and benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
Matthew 26:6–13 (ESV)
Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Observation questions

What three distinct responses to Mary’s act of worship are described in this passage?
According to Jesus, what was the true meaning and purpose behind Mary’s anointing?
How did the disciples initially react, and what was their stated reason for objecting?
What did Jesus say would be the lasting impact of Mary’s act?

Interpretation questions

Why might someone, like the disciples, criticize another person’s sincere act of worship? What does this reveal about the critic’s heart? [01:00:42]
Jesus said Mary’s act prepared Him for burial. How might a simple act of devotion carry significance beyond what the person offering it can see or understand? [01:11:02]
How does Judas’ response to Mary’s worship reveal a deeper spiritual condition, and what might this teach us about the connection between criticism and betrayal? [01:01:55]
In what ways can religious duty or concern for practicality (like helping the poor) sometimes blind us to moments of profound spiritual significance?

Application questions

When have you found yourself critical or skeptical of how someone else worships or serves God? What was at the root of that judgment? [01:07:14]
Mary’s act was costly, personal, and misunderstood. Is there a way you feel called to express devotion to Jesus that might seem extravagant or foolish to others? What holds you back?
Judas used religious language (“could have been given to the poor”) to mask a selfish heart. In what areas of your life might you be using spiritual excuses to cover pride, greed, or unbelief?
Jesus honored Mary’s act as a “beautiful thing” that would be remembered forever. How does this shape your understanding of what God values in our offerings to Him? [01:14:41]
Repentance involves turning from self-deception and acknowledging the deceit in our own hearts. Where is God inviting you to repent of hypocrisy or a judgmental spirit? [31:22]
How can you cultivate a heart that is quick to celebrate others’ worship rather than critique it? [01:09:16]
What is one practical step you can take this week to sit at Jesus’ feet like Mary—listening, loving, and giving without calculation?

Sermon Clips

54s

#DontJudgeAnotherBeliever

“Shame on me and shame on you whenever we look at somebody else and judge their relationship, their service and their devotion to Jesus. None of my business. I'm gonna do everything that I can do to encourage you towards him, to be devoted to him, to have your merry moments. And I'm going to do everything that I can to encourage you away from having a Judas heart. Because Judas is a critic and whatever his critique is going on, however Jesus he thinks Jesus is missing in his life, however he thinks Jesus isn't doing what he thinks Jesus ought to do, that brings about betrayal which will sit in next week.”

46s

#ResurrectedDevotion

“So not only and not only that, not only in the tomb but Jesus resurrected bodily also. So that anointing is still in his hair and still on his head on resurrection Sunday. Quite an image, Quite a memorial and quite an act of devotion. And that to me feeds into you have no idea what your simple or extravagant devotion to Jesus is going to bring about in fruit in the future. And to me, that compels me down that road to just continue to devote myself.”

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Matthew 26:1-13 :: WASTED WORSHIP

Devotional

Day 1: The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength

Day 2: The Call to Constant Repentance

Day 3: Guarding Against the Deceiver’s Influence

Day 4: The Contrast Between Deceit and Devotion

Day 5: Wholehearted Worship is Never Wasted

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Matthew 26:1-13 :: WASTED WORSHIP

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