True Worship: The Cost of Devotion to Jesus
Summary
In today's reflection, we journey through the poignant narrative of John 12, where Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, an act of profound devotion and worship. This moment, set just six days before the Passover, marks a significant point in Jesus' ministry as He prepares for His impending crucifixion. The anointing by Mary is not just a gesture of honor but a symbolic preparation for Jesus' burial, highlighting the sacrificial nature of true worship. This act contrasts sharply with Judas Iscariot's response, who criticizes the act as wasteful, revealing his own selfish motives and misunderstanding of Jesus' mission.
Mary's act of anointing Jesus is a powerful reminder of the cost of true worship. It challenges us to consider what we are willing to offer to Jesus. Are we giving our best, our first fruits, or merely what's left over? This narrative invites us to examine our priorities and the sincerity of our devotion. Worship, as exemplified by Mary, is not about grand gestures but about the heart's posture towards God, offering Him the best of what we have.
As we reflect on this story, we are reminded that Jesus does not demand perfection but desires our genuine worship and faith. He came not to condemn but to save, inviting us into a relationship where we can offer our lives as a living sacrifice. This relationship is not about following a set of rules but about a heartfelt devotion that transforms our lives. Jesus' acceptance of worship underscores His divine nature and His worthiness of our complete devotion.
In our daily lives, we are called to create space for intentional worship, to prioritize our relationship with Jesus above the busyness of life. This means offering our time, resources, and hearts to Him, not out of obligation but out of love and gratitude for His sacrifice. As we move towards Easter, let us be inspired by Mary's example to give our best to Jesus, recognizing Him as the Messiah who deserves our worship.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Cost of True Worship: True worship requires sacrifice and surrender. Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume symbolizes giving our best to God, challenging us to evaluate what we offer in our worship. Are we giving our first fruits or just leftovers? [09:11]
2. Contrasting Responses: The story contrasts Mary's devotion with Judas' selfishness, highlighting the importance of our heart's posture in worship. While Judas sees waste, Mary sees an opportunity to honor Jesus, reminding us that true worship is about the heart's intention. [16:19]
3. Jesus' Invitation to Relationship: Jesus invites us into a relationship, not a set of rules. He came to save, not to condemn, and desires our genuine faith and worship. This relationship transforms us, leading to a life of devotion and service. [24:19]
4. Prioritizing Worship in Daily Life: We are called to prioritize our relationship with Jesus, creating space for intentional worship amidst life's busyness. This involves offering our time and resources to God, reflecting our love and gratitude for His sacrifice. [20:15]
5. The Worthiness of Jesus: Jesus' acceptance of worship underscores His divine nature and worthiness. As we approach Easter, let us be inspired to give our best to Jesus, recognizing Him as the Messiah who deserves our complete devotion. [22:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:59] - The Anointing of Jesus
- [05:58] - Judas' Betrayal and Character
- [09:11] - The Cost of Worship
- [12:20] - Prioritizing Devotion
- [16:19] - Mary vs. Judas: A Contrast
- [20:15] - Intentional Worship
- [22:14] - Offering Our Best
- [24:19] - Jesus' Invitation to Relationship
- [26:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 12:1-11
Observation Questions:
1. What significant event takes place in John 12:1-11, and how does it set the stage for the events leading up to the crucifixion? [02:59]
2. How does Mary’s act of anointing Jesus contrast with Judas Iscariot’s reaction, and what does this reveal about their characters? [09:11]
3. What does Jesus’ response to Judas’ criticism tell us about His understanding of worship and priorities? [16:19]
4. How does the setting of this story, being so close to the Passover, add to the significance of Mary’s actions? [05:58]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Mary’s act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume symbolize in terms of worship and sacrifice? How does this challenge our understanding of giving our best to God? [09:11]
2. In what ways does Judas’ response to Mary’s act of worship reflect a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission and values? [16:19]
3. How does Jesus’ acceptance of worship in this passage affirm His divine nature and His worthiness of our devotion? [24:19]
4. What does the narrative suggest about the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Jesus amidst the busyness of life? [20:15]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are offering Jesus your leftovers rather than your first fruits? What steps can you take to change this? [22:14]
2. How can you create intentional space for worship in your daily routine, even amidst a busy schedule? What practical changes can you make this week? [20:15]
3. Consider the contrast between Mary and Judas. How can you ensure that your heart’s posture in worship is genuine and not influenced by selfish motives? [16:19]
4. In what ways can you demonstrate a sacrificial form of worship in your life, similar to Mary’s act of anointing Jesus? What might this look like practically? [09:11]
5. As we approach Easter, how can you be inspired by Mary’s example to deepen your devotion to Jesus? What specific actions can you take to honor Him as the Messiah? [22:14]
6. How does understanding Jesus’ invitation to a relationship, rather than a set of rules, change your approach to faith and worship? [24:19]
7. Identify one area in your life where you can prioritize your relationship with Jesus over other commitments. What will you do this week to make that change? [20:15]
Devotional
Day 1: The Sacrifice of True Worship
True worship is characterized by sacrifice and surrender, as demonstrated by Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. This act symbolizes giving our best to God, challenging us to evaluate what we offer in our worship. Are we giving our first fruits or just leftovers? Mary's devotion contrasts with Judas' selfishness, highlighting the importance of our heart's posture in worship. While Judas sees waste, Mary sees an opportunity to honor Jesus, reminding us that true worship is about the heart's intention. [09:11]
"But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go, and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock." (Deuteronomy 12:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Heart's Intention in Worship
The story of Mary and Judas presents a stark contrast in responses to Jesus. Mary's devotion is a powerful reminder of the cost of true worship, while Judas' criticism reveals his selfish motives and misunderstanding of Jesus' mission. This narrative invites us to examine our priorities and the sincerity of our devotion. Worship, as exemplified by Mary, is not about grand gestures but about the heart's posture towards God, offering Him the best of what we have. [16:19]
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current priorities. What do they reveal about the state of your heart and your devotion to Jesus? How can you realign them to reflect true worship?
Day 3: Relationship Over Rules
Jesus invites us into a relationship, not a set of rules. He came to save, not to condemn, and desires our genuine faith and worship. This relationship transforms us, leading to a life of devotion and service. Jesus' acceptance of worship underscores His divine nature and His worthiness of our complete devotion. As we reflect on this story, we are reminded that Jesus does not demand perfection but desires our genuine worship and faith. [24:19]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus that goes beyond following rules? What specific steps can you take this week to walk more closely with Him?
Day 4: Intentional Worship Amidst Busyness
In our daily lives, we are called to create space for intentional worship, to prioritize our relationship with Jesus above the busyness of life. This means offering our time, resources, and hearts to Him, not out of obligation but out of love and gratitude for His sacrifice. As we move towards Easter, let us be inspired by Mary's example to give our best to Jesus, recognizing Him as the Messiah who deserves our worship. [20:15]
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)
Reflection: What practical changes can you make in your daily schedule to prioritize intentional worship and time with Jesus?
Day 5: Recognizing Jesus' Worthiness
Jesus' acceptance of worship underscores His divine nature and worthiness. As we approach Easter, let us be inspired to give our best to Jesus, recognizing Him as the Messiah who deserves our complete devotion. This relationship is not about following a set of rules but about a heartfelt devotion that transforms our lives. [22:14]
"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." (Philippians 2:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the worthiness of Jesus in your life. How can you express your recognition of His divine nature and worthiness in your daily actions and decisions?
Quotes
Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus, the man who had been raised from the dead. If you go backwards just a little bit, we see that Martha and Mary are there with Jesus, and they're pleading for him to bring Lazarus, or to save Lazarus. And they're even mourning the fact that he died and wishing that Jesus had been there. Because if only Jesus had been there, then he could have done something. [00:01:12] (29 seconds)
Not that he cared for the poor. He was a thief. And since he was in charge of the disciples' money, he often stole some for himself. Jesus replied to Judas, Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. [00:02:25] (26 seconds)
Martha goes in and complains to Jesus that Mary is just sitting there doing nothing. And Jesus says, no, Mary is doing exactly what she's supposed to be doing. I'll I'll I'll I'll I'll it's not about having all the forks set up in the right way we created the Valentine's dinner there were the kids were starting to place Matt out the table with us the forks and spoons and we were like well how many forks do you put out and spoons you put the knife like at the top or something like there's like weird things you do I don't go to fancy restaurants so I don't know but Martha's getting this all ready she's making it all perfect she's getting it all together. [00:09:11] (39 seconds)
because worshiping Jesus does come at a cost to our life are we giving up to Jesus our worship that is our first fruits Jesus is the only Son of God God gives of Jesus to us, his only son, his first fruits, everything that he has here on earth, he gives to us in a form of a sacrifice. [00:10:24] (29 seconds)
And what Mary is saying in this moment is, the best thing that I have, in preparation for your death, that's coming so soon, I give my best to you. As we're working through our devotionals, we're doing the Lent devotional together on the Bible app. I mentioned this when we did Scripture a couple weeks ago, how my mornings are tough, I get up early, 4 .45 in the morning, it's pretty early. [00:12:07] (30 seconds)
true worship comes at a cost it requires us to surrender it requires of us to sacrifice i'm i'm grappling with the i hear preachers so often and the place that we start is we're despicable people we're awful we're terrible well we're sinful it feels like the church or or people trying to it feels like we're trying to to break people down so that they can come back up to jesus jesus doesn't come and he doesn't whip us into shape jesus comes and says i see you i know where you are today i don't care that you're in this spot i i want you to place your faith in me i want you to give of your first fruits to me i want you to come to me in worship. [00:15:19] (59 seconds)
it's not about the the horrendous people that we are are we separated from god absolutely do we have sin in our lives absolutely do we need to get better absolutely but jesus didn't come to condemn the world he came to save the world as we look to to judas and his response you see the contrast here between mary's worship and judas response to the worship. [00:16:19] (32 seconds)
judas selfishness his desire in his his he blames it on well we could just give so much to the poor we could do so much with that perfume and the cost that it could bring into our home but he doesn't see the devotion that mary has to jesus and she exhibits her her devotion to jesus she exhibits that throughout her life over and over and over and over again. [00:16:53] (36 seconds)
one of the things that ultimately gets jesus killed is that jesus affirms his desire for worship people are not allowed to receive worship they're not and as jesus is going through his life and he's doing these miraculous things when he's he's heading his life teaching the disciples what it is to be a follower of christ how the old testament is so relevant and important but what jesus is doing is changing the way in which we're saved what jesus is doing has completely changed the world that just through faith just through faith are we saved that was the conversation about larry for so long well i haven't done enough good things well i i it's not about that those things come change in our life comes through relationship with christ. [00:18:00] (78 seconds)
He doesn't desire us to give of all of our time and everything that we do. He asks us to work hard and then to take rest, to refill, to rejuvenate ourselves. He doesn't desire for us to just be overly busy for the purpose of being busy. He desires of us to give of ourselves to Him. He desires of us to give of our first fruits. And for everyone here, that's going to look a little bit different. [00:20:18] (34 seconds)
It's hard to fathom the devotion that Mary gives. And she does it because she loves Jesus. She does it because she knows He is the Messiah. She fully believes that with everything in her. And she wants to give of her first fruits. The challenge from today is to consider what are we offering to Jesus? Are we offering everything in the best that we have? [00:21:10] (33 seconds)
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