What can we learn from the woman's actions about worship and devotion? A Moment to Picture Mark 14:3: “While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.” Wholehearted Sacrifice • The perfume was “very expensive” (v. 3); John 12:5 values it at 300 denarii—about a year’s wage. • Like David who refused to offer God “burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24), she teaches that genuine worship spares no expense. • Romans 12:1 calls believers to present their bodies as “a living sacrifice”—all-in, not halfway. Undistracted Focus on Christ • She ministers to Jesus, not to the onlookers. • Psalm 27:4 reflects this single-minded gaze: “to behold the beauty of the LORD.” • Devotion centers on who He is, not on the opinions swirling around us. Costly Love Over Calculated Giving • She “broke the jar,” ending any chance of reuse. Nothing held back. • 2 Corinthians 9:7 urges cheerful, not reluctant, giving. Her act models delight, not duty. • Worship that counts the cost but still proceeds magnifies His worth. Courageous Public Witness • She enters a meal dominated by men, risking criticism (vv. 4-5). • Luke 7:37-38 shows another woman braving scorn to honor Jesus. Devotion may invite misunderstanding, yet love presses on. • Matthew 10:32 reminds: “Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge before My Father.” Prophetic Insight and Timing • Jesus links her act to His burial (vv. 8-9). Her sensitivity aligns with God’s redemptive timetable. • Ecclesiastes 3:1—there is “a time for every activity.” Spirit-led worship participates in God’s larger story. Lasting Impact • Jesus promises her deed will be “told in memory of her” (v. 9). • Acts of pure devotion echo beyond the moment and inspire future generations (Hebrews 11:4). Personal Takeaways • Give Him the best, not the leftovers. • Let worship flow from love, not mere obligation. • Stand for Christ openly, even when misunderstood. • Seek the Spirit’s prompting so your devotion fits God’s purpose and timing. |
    |