Radical Worship: The Legacy of Mary of Bethany
Summary
In my recent sermon, I delved into the profound act of worship demonstrated by Mary of Bethany, as recounted in the Gospel of John, just days before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This event, which took place in the home of Simon the leper, reveals the depth of Mary's devotion and the contrasting attitudes of those around her, including Judas Iscariot.
Mary's act of anointing Jesus with a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume, signifies her complete surrender and worship. Unlike the sinful woman in Luke 7, Mary of Bethany is not known for her sins but for her love and devotion to Jesus. Her willingness to pour out something so valuable onto Jesus' feet, and to wipe His feet with her hair, speaks volumes about her heart's posture towards God. In a society where hair is often tied to self-worth, especially for women, Mary's disregard for her own glory in favor of honoring Jesus is striking.
The reaction of Judas to Mary's act of worship is telling of his heart's condition. He saw the act as wasteful, not understanding the spiritual significance behind it. His concern for the poor was a facade, as his true worship was for money. Jesus, however, defends Mary, stating that she has done a beautiful thing for Him, preparing Him for burial. This act of worship was not about Mary's physical appearance but about her deeds and sacrifice, which Jesus deemed beautiful.
The disciples, too, were critical of Mary, not grasping the imminence of Jesus' death. They were caught up in their expectations and missed the significance of Mary's actions. Jesus' rebuke reminds us that our worship and service should not be hindered by the opinions of others but should be focused on God's perspective.
As we prepare for communion, we are called to reflect on what holds us back from pouring ourselves out like Mary did. Whether it's relationships, pride, fear, or past pain, we are challenged to let go and worship with abandon. Mary's legacy endures because of her bold faith and complete surrender, prompting us to consider the legacy we are leaving behind.
In closing, I encouraged the congregation to examine their hearts and consider how we can pour ourselves out in service to God, just as Jesus emptied Himself for us on the cross. Our worship and service should be a reflection of our love for God, not constrained by our concerns for personal image or the judgments of others.
Key Takeaways:
- Mary of Bethany's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume was a radical display of worship and surrender. Her willingness to use something so valuable as an act of devotion challenges us to consider what we hold most precious and whether we are willing to offer it to God without reservation. True worship often requires sacrifice, and it is in the giving of our best that we truly honor God. [49:34]
- Judas Iscariot's reaction to Mary's worship reveals the danger of harboring a heart that values material wealth over spiritual richness. As followers of Christ, we must guard against allowing greed to take root in our hearts, for it can blind us to the true worth of spiritual devotion and lead us to betray the very essence of our faith. [50:17]
- The beauty of Mary's worship was not in her appearance but in her actions and heart. This serves as a powerful reminder that God values the inner qualities of love, sacrifice, and devotion far above external attributes. As we live out our faith, let us focus on cultivating a heart that is pleasing to God, knowing that this is where true beauty lies. [55:49]
- The criticism Mary faced from the disciples highlights the ease with which we can misjudge the actions of others, especially when they do not align with our expectations. We must be careful not to dismiss or devalue expressions of faith that differ from our own, recognizing that God sees the heart behind each act of worship. [54:05]
- Mary's legacy, which Jesus said would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached, prompts us to consider the impact of our own lives. What we do for Christ and how we serve others will outlast us and speak for us long after we are gone. Let us strive to live in such a way that our legacy points others to the love and grace of Jesus. [01:00:45]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 12:1-8 (NIV)
2. Matthew 26:6-13 (NIV)
3. Mark 14:3-9 (NIV)
#### Observation Questions
1. What did Mary of Bethany do with the expensive perfume, and how did she use it to honor Jesus? (John 12:3)
2. How did Judas Iscariot react to Mary's act of worship, and what was his stated reason for his reaction? (John 12:4-5) [48:51]
3. How did Jesus respond to the criticism of Mary's actions by Judas and the other disciples? (John 12:7-8) [55:18]
4. What does the passage say about the significance of Mary's act in relation to Jesus' upcoming burial? (John 12:7) [59:22]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Mary chose to use such an expensive perfume to anoint Jesus? What does this tell us about her understanding of Jesus' worth? [43:12]
2. How does Judas' reaction to Mary's act of worship reveal his true priorities and heart condition? [48:51]
3. What does Jesus' defense of Mary teach us about the nature of true worship and sacrifice? [55:18]
4. How does the criticism Mary faced from the disciples reflect common misunderstandings about acts of devotion and worship? [54:05]
#### Application Questions
1. Mary poured out something very valuable to honor Jesus. What is something valuable in your life that you might be holding back from offering to God? How can you begin to offer it to Him without reservation? [43:12]
2. Judas was more concerned with the material value of the perfume than its spiritual significance. Are there areas in your life where material concerns are overshadowing your spiritual devotion? How can you address this imbalance? [48:51]
3. Jesus valued Mary's heart and actions over her appearance. How can you cultivate a heart of worship that focuses on inner qualities like love, sacrifice, and devotion? [55:18]
4. The disciples misjudged Mary's actions because they didn't align with their expectations. Have you ever misjudged someone's act of faith because it was different from your own? How can you become more open to diverse expressions of worship? [54:05]
5. Mary's legacy of worship and sacrifice is remembered wherever the gospel is preached. What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? How can your current actions and service reflect that legacy? [01:00:45]
6. Reflect on what might be holding you back from fully pouring yourself out in worship and service to God. Is it a relationship, pride, fear, or past pain? What steps can you take this week to begin letting go of these hindrances? [01:01:26]
7. Jesus emptied Himself for us on the cross. How can you emulate this self-emptying in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to serve others and honor God this week? [01:02:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship Through Sacrificial Giving
True worship often involves giving up what we hold dear, reflecting our heart's devotion to God. Mary of Bethany's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume was a profound demonstration of worship and surrender. She took what was likely her most valuable possession and used it to honor Jesus, showing that her love for Him surpassed her attachment to material wealth. This act of pouring out the perfume, without regard for its cost, symbolizes a heart willing to give God the best, not just the leftovers. It challenges every believer to consider what they value most and whether they are willing to lay it at Jesus' feet. Worship that costs us something is a powerful testament to our faith and devotion.
"King David said to Ornan, 'No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.'" - 1 Chronicles 21:24
Reflection: What is one thing you value greatly that you can offer to God as an act of worship, and how can you practically do that this week? [49:34]
Day 2: Guarding Against Greed
The heart's condition is crucial in worship; where Mary showed devotion, Judas Iscariot displayed greed. Judas criticized Mary's act of worship, not understanding its spiritual significance, and masked his greed with feigned concern for the poor. This serves as a stark warning about the dangers of allowing materialism to overshadow spiritual richness. Greed can blind us to the true value of devotion and lead us astray. Believers must vigilantly guard their hearts against such corruption, ensuring that their worship remains pure and focused on God rather than earthly wealth.
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." - 1 Timothy 6:10
Reflection: How can you actively cultivate contentment in your life to prevent greed from taking root in your heart? [50:17]
Day 3: Inner Beauty in Worship
Mary's worship was beautiful to Jesus not because of her outward appearance but because of her heart and actions. This moment teaches that God values the inner qualities of love, sacrifice, and devotion far above external attributes. In a world that often prioritizes appearance, this is a powerful reminder to focus on cultivating a heart that is pleasing to God. True beauty in God's eyes comes from a life lived in genuine worship and service, reflecting the love and grace of Christ to others.
"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'" - 1 Samuel 16:7
Reflection: What are some ways you can develop a heart of worship that focuses on inner beauty rather than external appearances? [55:49]
Day 4: Embracing Diverse Expressions of Faith
The criticism Mary faced from the disciples for her act of worship highlights how easily we can misjudge others, especially when their actions don't align with our expectations. It's a reminder to be open to different expressions of faith and to recognize that God sees the heart behind each act of worship. As believers, we should encourage one another in our unique journeys with Christ, understanding that diversity in worship can enrich the body of Christ.
"Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him." - Romans 14:3
Reflection: Can you identify a time when you may have misjudged someone else's act of worship? How can you foster a more accepting and encouraging attitude towards diverse expressions of faith within your community? [54:05]
Day 5: Leaving a Legacy of Faith
Mary's legacy endures because of her bold faith and complete surrender to Jesus. Her actions remind us that what we do for Christ and how we serve others will outlast us and speak for us long after we are gone. As followers of Christ, we are called to live in such a way that our legacy points others to the love and grace of Jesus. This challenges us to consider the impact of our own lives and how we can serve God and others with a heart of devotion.
"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel," - Philippians 1:27
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to ensure that your life and actions leave a legacy that honors Christ and draws others to Him? [01:00:45]
Quotes
"One of the things that makes Mary Bethy so impressive to me is she only has a brief bit of dialogue recorded in the scripture; in this scene she never speaks a word. She demonstrates who she is and what she's about through her worship, which is all about what she is doing, who she is being, and not just what she is saying. I think that's a good lesson for us, an encouragement for us to remember that our actions need to speak louder than our words at times." [43:53]
"Mary Bethany sat at his feet to listen and we see here she pours perfume. But if this was not enough for us to see her heart for God, verse 3B says after she poured it on his feet, it then says she wiped his feet with her hair. Ladies, she wiped his feet with her hair. In the African American Community alone, the hair industry was a $9 billion industry in 2009. Globally, the hair industry in 2022 was $25 billion, projected to reach $383 billion by 2030." [44:32]
"Mary Bethy is just letting go of her hair and wiping his feet with her hair, which to me means she's letting go of her longing to be loved, her longing to be accepted, her longing of caring about what other people think about her. We see that she has learned to care only about what Jesus thinks about her and considers her. This isn't about sacrificing some perfume bottle; this is about her sacrificing her life, her pride, her reputation, her social standing." [46:13]
"When we worship with abandon like Mary Bethy did, nothing blesses God more. When we stop thinking about ourselves altogether, about what people will think, what people will say, how does this look, and you just pour out yourself for the Lord like Mary did with the expensive perfume, He blesses that kind of faith and sacrifice." [47:29]
"Mary's private devotion to Jesus has now become a public display of affection. Unfortunately, such tender scenes like this seldom last very long, either in real life or in the Bible. Now most of us know how Judas takes control here, makes demands, even protests, and that is exactly what happens later on that evening." [48:14]
"Mary's sacrifice was priceless, but what mattered to Judas was the street value of it. In John 12:5, it says, 'Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.' See, Mary's sacrifice was priceless, but Judas clearly saw Mary's actions as distasteful, disgraceful, and above all else, wasteful." [48:51]
"Mary Bethy was not going to have any more perfume; this was it. She emptied it all out and gave it and poured it on Jesus. Mark 14:8 says, 'She did what she could; she poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.' Before he goes to the Cross, the disciples were fighting the whole idea right up to this Holy Week." [59:22]
"Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her. Here we are today, worshiping God at Milano, 2,000 plus years later, and we are still talking about Mary of Bethany. What will be said about you and me thousands of years from now? What are we leaving behind?" [01:00:45]
"As we prepare to take communion, let me ask a question: What is holding you back from pouring everything out and emptying yourself like Mary of Bethany? Is it a relationship, is it your pride, fear, is it pain from the past? How different would our worship, our service to God be if we poured out like Mary?" [01:01:26]
"Let's remember and consider Jesus who was willing to do whatever it took to pour out, to empty himself, giving up his very life so that we could live and be with him forever and ever in eternity." [01:02:07]
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